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Updated: Sep 7, 2025

Using a Virtual Reality Walking Simulator to Investigate Pedestrian Behavior
Published on: June 9, 2020
[Safety measures in traffic; how risk compensation affects our behaviour]
Ragnhild J Davidse1,2, Willem P Vlakveld1, Wiebo H Brouwer3
1SWOV - Instituut voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Verkeersveiligheid, afd. Gedrag in het verkeer, Den Haag.
Abstract:
In 2020, more than 600 people died as a result of a traffic crash in the Netherlands and 6,500 were hospitalized after they had sustained a serious injury (MAIS 3+). These numbers are much lower than those in the beginning of the seventies of the last century, when there were more than 3,000 road fatalities. To reduce the number of fatalities, many measures have been taken to avoid road crashes and reduce injury severity. By road design that makes it impossible for road users to collide, by improving the safety of vehicles, and by educating road users. Traffic psychologists often warn for behavioural adaptations that nullify the expected effect of road safety measures (risk compensation). Numerous studies have shown examples of risk compensation in traffic. What is the psychological mechanism behind risk compensation? Which factors enhance risk compensation? And are there any advantages of risk compensation?
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