The Risk Compensation Theory: An Analysis

The Risk Compensation Theory suggests that when people feel safer due to safety measures—like seat belts or helmets—they might take more risks because they perceive less danger. For example, a driver might drive slightly faster because they feel protected by a seat belt. The theory highlights that safety improvements can sometimes lead to unintended behaviors that offset their benefits. Understanding this helps in designing safety policies that consider how people's behavior may change in response to perceived safety, aiming to genuinely reduce risks rather than just shift them.