"Neil Gould" wrote in message
m...
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.

It would be wonderful if we lived in a world where that would work. But we
don't. I agree that vehicles (aircraft, motor, etc.) would all be MUCH
safer if people would pay attention to their piloting/driving.

But the average pilot or driver is just that. Average. They can't be
bothered, and would rather chat on their cell phone, reading the newspaper,
while tailgating the person in front of them (or whatever the aviation
equivalent is), and force the vehicle manufacturer to come up with a way to
keep them from getting killed while doing so.

When you figure out a way to get a better human, then we can start talking
about getting that better human to change their behavior. Until then,
you're stuck with the kind of behavior that the current human is willing to
engage in.

Pete