Perception of Risk in Automobiles: Is it Accurate?

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Abstract
Consumer concern with safety may be nullified because understanding of hazards associated with uses and misuses of products is often inadequate owing to lack of understanding relevant physical principles. These studies examined the public's understanding of hazards associated with automobiles. Recent safety advances have included passive restraint systems to increase the likelihood of buckling up. Such systems are usually passive/active systems, because lap belts must be manually buckled. Not buckling the lap belt may cause the system to become an injury-producing system rather than an injury-preventing system. Without lap restraint severe neck injuries and possible ejection from the vehicle can occur. Similar problems are posed by other seat belt behaviors. Surveys of general knowledge of these problems and of problems associated with the temperatures occurring in vehicles exposed to solar radiation indicated significant knowledge gaps. Suggestions are made for added warnings and informational programs to ameliorate the situation.

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