Risk Homeostasis Theory

Risk Homeostasis Theory suggests that individuals have a target level of acceptable risk. When safety measures improve (like better car brakes), people may feel more confident and engage in riskier behaviors, such as driving faster. This adjustment maintains a consistent perceived level of danger. Essentially, as safety increases, people subconsciously compensate by taking more risks, keeping their overall risk exposure relatively stable. This theory helps explain why safety improvements don't always lead to fewer accidents, as human behavior adapts to maintain a personal risk balance.