Recently, Michael posted:
I wrote earlier:
As I see it, this very notion is contrary to the way that the general
public looks at almost any activity. Driving a car is dangerous,
too, but we have not seen any simulators or recurrent training
requirements to address this fact.

Nevertheless, the fatality rate goes down every year. It's not
becuase the drivers are getting better. They're not. It's not
because they're driving less or being more conservative or more
restricted. They're not. The cars are getting safer. In an
atmosphere of wide access and minimal regulation, it is economically
feasible to improve safety through technology.

All safety improvements ultimately come from improving the technology
rather than changing behavior. It is the engineer's efforts that are
important, not the bureaucrat's.

I disagree that all safety improvements *must* ultimately come from
improving the technology. Behavioral change can also improve safety. Stop
such ridiculous practices as giving people the opportunity to have a dozen
DUI convictions, and safety will improve. Stop the ridiculous practice of
permitting ever more distractions while driving, such as cell phones, DVD
players, etc., and safety will improve. I am completely opposed to the
mentality that suggests that we can behave any way we want and count on
technology to save our asses.

More regulation and limitation will only limit access, narrow the
market, make innovation less practical, and ultimately degrade rather
than improve safety.

I agree that more regulation will limit access; I don't see that as a Bad
Thing, and safety is likely to improve as a result. However, narrow
markets have not restricted innovation, nor have expanded markets
necessarily encouraged innovation. In fact, one could argue that the
opposite is often true, because narrow markets restrict access to
resources, making innovation a necessity. Space Ship One is a good example
of this. Safety factors are independent of market size, as far as I can
tell. The automotive market is one of the largest in the world, yet safety
improvements usually come as a result of legislation forcing those
improvements.

Regards,

Neil