Evidence on risk compensation and safety behaviour

Risk compensation effects occur when changes in risk-related factors lead t o offsetting or reinforcing behaviors. An empirical analysis of recreationa l boating accidents between 1989 and 1993 suggests that compensating behavi or can be offsetting or reinforcing, depending upon the individual safety b ehavior through which the compensating effect occurs, and can occur through the safety behavior of both the operator and passenger. Cumulative experie nce and formal training have compensation effects that depend upon the adju stment margin. An implication from this is the need for additional research on identifying adjustment margins through which individuals compensate. Th is information will assist policy makers whose objectives are to implement regulatory policies that most effectively produce safety enhancing behaviou rs. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.