Comment by jl6 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by jl6 | Hacker News Reader

Parent Full thread

The idea that armor increases injury risk is a fascinating case study of unintended consequences.

Similar “safety irony” claims I’ve heard include:

* Mandatory bike helmet laws increase total risk to life because having to wear a helmet deters people from cycling so they drive instead, and thus miss out on the increased cardio health they would have got from cycling.

* Trains are too safe, meaning they have to meet such stringent safety criteria that the costs are raised to the point that people drive instead, and driving is much more dangerous.

And my favorite personal anecdote: a ruined castle in Portugal which had a staircase leading up to a high ledge with no barrier. It was so obviously dangerous that everyone was taking a lot of care up there…

To expound on your bike helmet comment, growing up in the 70s skating, skateboarding, and biking, we didn't have protective gear. We quickly learned to fall and roll to prevent broken bones. I was rollerblading in NYC streets and Central Park in the dance circle in the early 90s, and watching beginners with protective wrist guards, helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads fall again and again was telling. They relied on their wrist guards and other equipment to prevent injury without learning how to fall. I have friends who take spills at high speed on skateboards, and roll and stand up without more than a few scuffs. I saw people with pads still break their thumbs and sprain their wrists. Sometimes you need a bit of both skill and protective gear, otherwise, you are an accident waiting to happen.

Statisticians pointed out that the number of people chose to drive long distance trips rather than fly due to fear of flying in the aftermath of 9/11 and deaths caused by the increase in driving outnumbered the number of deaths caused directly by 9/11.

as I recall, when ABS braking in cars was introduced, it did not seem to reduce accidents or injuries, and the idea was floated that people have an innate sense of risk and they'll take more risks if they feel safe. (I'm not defending this idea, just reporting what I remember)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com