Greater health risk Risk taking increases through helmets

Protective equipment causes us to take greater risks
When people wear a bicycle helmet, they hope to improve their safety on the road. However, scientists have now discovered that a bicycle helmet in adults increases risk-taking. The positive effect of protection could thus be nullified by the subconsciously increased willingness to take risks. Helmet carriers may be less secure than previously thought.

Are you one of those people wearing a bicycle helmet while driving? Then you are sure to hope that the helmet will increase your safety on the bike. However, a recent study found that helmet wearers are more likely to take greater risks. The risk of accidents increases. So it might be dangerous to wear a helmet. The results of their new study, the researchers published in the journal "Psychological Science".

Wearing helmets increases your risk appetite, which can lead to more accidents. (Image: Lars Zahner / fotolia.com)

Study analyzes adult risk appetite
Does wearing a bicycle helmet really make our lives safer? In crashes or accidents, a helmet can undeniably help protect our heads. But do we also suffer disadvantages when wearing a helmet on a bicycle? Experts have now discovered that people with bicycle helmets often tend to take greater risks. The study from the University of Bath analyzed behavior and risk taking among adults aged 17 to 56 years. To do this, the scientists used a computer simulation. The subjects were divided into two groups. One group wore bicycle helmets and the other group wore baseball caps, the researchers report.

Results could have far-reaching effects
The subjects of both groups subsequently had the task of inflating a virtual balloon in the computer simulation. The more the balloon was inflated, the more points the participants got. If the balloon is used, however, the subjects lose all their points, explain the scientists. The results show that the helmets group tended to be more at risk of ballooning the balloon. The study should clarify whether certain safety advices are actually effective - including the use of helmets for various recreational activities, such as cycling, the experts report. Ian Walker and dr. Tim Gamble.

The two scientists suspect that the results of their investigation could also have far-reaching implications for soldiers on the battlefield. Because the study makes it clear that people with protective equipment may take risks against which they can not protect their equipment Walker. Several studies have tried in the past to analyze the so-called "risk compensation" triggered by protective equipment. For example, people may drive cars differently when wearing seatbelts, explain the physicians.

People with sense of security, behave more reckless
In all the cases examined, the safety equipment and the activity were directly connected. It is logical that, for example, people play more aggressively in sports when they wear gear specially designed to make their sport safer, the researchers explain. This is the first indication that safety equipment could cause people to take greater risks. However, the circumstance does not mean that people should not wear safety equipment. The study results only show that the topic of protective equipment is much more complicated than most people think, explain the doctors. We should note that wearing protective gear can sometimes result in unintended effects that affect our common sense. The study shows that when people feel protected, they usually behave more recklessly. This could affect all possible situations, explain the experts. Last but not least, the wearing of protective gear probably influences even the strategic decisions of soldiers. (As)