ABSTRACT
The most influential theory to account for reduced safety benefits of particular measures is the risk homeostasis theory of Wilde. Drivers with anti-lock brakes (ABS) estimated the risk of getting involved in a collision as being lower than those without ABS and therefore adjusted their behaviour such that it became more risky. If a particular measure does not affect the perception of risk then it is unlikely that behavioural compensation will occur. Risk perception during driving is a rather complex process and for behavioural adaptation to occur one has to assume that the estimation of risk is a process that constantly takes place. Some of the measures taken included 'visually' reducing the lane width so that the lane looked narrower while in fact the actual road surface remained the same. Measures that focus purely on reducing the consequences of a collision are less likely to affect behavioural adaption because, typically, drivers try to circumvent collisions altogether.
