Download eBook for Free
| Format | File Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PDF file | 1.2 MB | Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. |
This paper identifies three groups that can improve automotive safety: the automotive industry, by designing into cars such safety devices as seat belts, roll bars, or air bags; the government, by taking such measures as improving road conditions, enforcing seat belt usage laws or enforcing stricter anti-drunk-driving laws; and, finally, the driver, by adopting driving habits such as wearing seat belts and not driving while intoxicated. Of the seven strategies they identified for improving automotive safety, the authors argue that "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) is the most applicable risk reduction strategy within the context of improving automotive safety. By applying the ALARA principle to past and proposed safety improvements, they demonstrate that the most lives saved per dollar spent would occur if drivers modified their driving habits.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation Paper series. The paper was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1948 to 2003 that captured speeches, memorials, and derivative research, usually prepared on authors' own time and meant to be the scholarly or scientific contribution of individual authors to their professional fields. Papers were less formal than reports and did not require rigorous peer review.
This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.