IMPRESSIONANTE - A importância do Capacete

Risk compensation

Wearing helmets may make cyclists feel safer and thus take more risks. This effect is known as  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation - risk compensation and is consistent with other road safety interventions such as  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seat_belt - seat belts and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-lock_braking_system - anti-lock braking systems. ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#cite_note-Risk-94 - [89] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#cite_note-DOTS-95 - [90]}

In tests, adults accustomed to wearing helmets cycled faster when wearing a helmet than without, indicating a higher tolerance for risk. ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#cite_note-96 - [91] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#cite_note-97 - [92]} Tests also show that children go faster and take more risks when wearing safety gear (including helmets), ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#cite_note-98 - [93]} and that parents allow children to be more risky when using safety gear. ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#cite_note-99 - [94]}

Motorists may also alter their behavior toward helmeted cyclists. One small study from England found that vehicles passed a helmeted cyclist with measurably less clearance (8.5 cm) than that given to the same cyclist unhelmeted (out of an average total passing distance of 1.2 to 1.3 metres). ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#cite_note-100 - [95]}

Rodgers re-analysed data which supposedly showed helmets to be effective; he found data errors and methodological weaknesses so serious that in fact the data showed "bicycle-related fatalities are positively and significantly associated with increased helmet use". ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#cite_note-Rodgers-43 - [39]} A range of theories have been proposed to explain why helmet use might indirectly translate into more or worse accidents. In short, the analysis of helmet effectiveness is confounded by changes in human behaviour apparently induced by the presence of protective headgear