An economist – Sam Peltzman came up with this idea. You can wikipedia or Google search this idea, but I heard about it this morning.
Basically, the idea suggests that as the safety equipment or safety regulation improves that people’s behavior gets more risky. A car that super safe can be driven more recklessly – because it’s safer. Better football helmets – which provide protection are now being used to spear people.
It ends up working counter to the desired safety effect. It makes it safer, but with crazier and riskier behavior. It has the opposite effect; the Peltzman Effect.
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