Compulsory Seat Belt Usage and Driver Risk-Taking Behavior

Abstract

The danger compensation principle contends that the use of such vehicle safety features as seat belts may induce drivers to take greater risks. To test for this hypothesized effect, observational data on seat belt usage and driver risk taking were collected on 4812 drivers in Ontario, Canada, where seat belt usage is required by law. The hypothesized effect would result in higher risks taken by drivers compelled to wear seat belts, as indicated by closer following in freeway driving. Such an effect was sought by observing the difference between user and nonuser following headways and comparing it with a corresponding difference previously reported for Michigan, which has no mandatory usage law. The comparison provided no evidence of danger compensation behavior in car following. It was therefore concluded that this study presents no evidence that the safety benefits of seat belts would be diminished or neutralized by greater driver risk taking.