Improving Automotive Safety

This paper identifies three groups that can improve automotive safety. The three groups are 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 modifying driving habits such as wearing seat belts and not driving while intoxicated. Of the seven strategies we define for improving automotive safety, this paper argues 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, we demonstrate that the most lives saved per dollar spent would occur if drivers modified their driving habits.