Comfort and control

Car accidents in Sweden have been on a low level compared to most countries, and recently the level has fallen still more.

During the last Easter period - Easter is a peak period in car traffic and usually in accidents - only two individuals were killed in traffic accidents compared to 9 individuals in 2009.

Maybe it is a bit early, but we could ask if a critical point in car accidents has been reached. Will car accidents spontaneously become fewer and fewer?

The decrease in the number of accidents has not happened by itself. The roads have been safer. A lot of barriers between lanes have been built. The cars have been better. The control has been better, with automatic cameras taking pictures of those driving over the speed limit.

Most accidents are related to the subjective situation of the car driver at the moment of accident. If we want a spontaneous decrease in traffic accidents, we want this subjective situation to be more comfortable in avoiding risks than taking risks.

For most car drivers this is already the case. They feel perfectly comfortable in avoiding risk, even if it means going slower and letting other cars pass by.

So the key factors for better car safety would be in comfort and control.