Experts Say Risk Perception Key to Safety

October 3, 2000 9:15 AM, EDT

As director of safety for Central Freight Lines in Waco, Texas, Gary D. Thomas spends much of his time training rookie drivers. But among his more experienced drivers he noticed what appeared to be a contradiction — an increase, rather than reduction, in the number of accidents after about five years on the job.

Experts contend that this paradox validates what has been a largely ignored factor in study of highway safety: The human tendency to take more chances as the perception of risk declines.

In the case of Central Freight’s drivers, many acquired a “false sense of security” as their skills improved over time, and this, Thomas said, led to their taking greater risks, which yielded more accidents. To remedy the problem, the carrier now devotes more attention and resources to refresher training courses for all drivers.

The problem that Thomas saw at Central Freight Lines is shared on a broader scale by trucking management, federal and state highway safety officials and law enforcement agencies as they try to reduce the number of accidents involving big rigs on the highway.

Some trucking specialists believe that no meaningful improvement in safety can be achieved unless all drivers on the highway reduce the level of risk they are willing to take.

For the full story, see the Oct. 2 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.