Faster, Smarter, Greener: The Future of the Car and Urban Mobility (The MIT Press)

by Venkat Sumantran

Through history we have observed that adding technology is not the same as achieving desired results. In 1997, a report examined the effect of addition of ABS brakes on traffic accidents.31 The study involved the same models of cars and compared those fitted with ABS with those that did not have the system. It observed no difference in the rates of accidents. In fact, cars fitted with ABS actually had a slightly higher rate of fatalities for its occupants than cars without ABS. Many researchers have postulated that human psychology often compensates for the additional margin of safety provided by these systems.32 They have observed that drivers of cars with ABS brakes actually drive faster on slippery roads, placing their faith in the ABS system to save them from harm. There appears to be a subconscious human correction factor at play that defines and accepts a tolerable level of risk. As technologies reduce risk, it appears that behavior compensates perversely, to assume additional risk. Driver education and training, not only at the stage of licensing but also with the rollout of any new technology, are important to manage this dynamic and sustain measurable improvements in safety.