West Virginia University economics professor Russ Sobel has released a report in which he argues that NASCAR’s developments of safer cars lead to more accidents. The report is being released as NASCAR, this season, is introducing the Car of Tomorrow concept, which was developed to reduce injuries during accidents.
Sobel, whose report will be published in the Southern Economic Journal, said the safer cars cut down on injuries, but drivers become more aggressive and thus cause more accidents. The report is entitled “Automobile Safety Regulation and the Incentive to Drive Recklessly: Evidence from NASCAR.”
In a press release, Sobel said the same arguments can be made for street vehicles.