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Perception of Own Death Risk : A Reassessment of Road-Traffic Mortality Risk

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  • ANDERSSON Henrik

Abstract

This study examines individuals' perception of their own road‐mortality risk using a Swedish data set. Individuals' subjective beliefs about their personal risk are compared with the objective risk of his/her own age and gender group, which in this study is defined as the respondents' objective risk. Both descriptive statistics and regression results suggest that low‐ and high‐risk groups over‐ and underassess their risk levels, respectively. Having access to individual‐level data we also find that the probability of underassessment and the size of risk bias is related to individual characteristics, for example, gender. Individuals' formation of risk perception is also analyzed based on the Bayesian learning model. Even though we find a positive relationship between perceived and objective risk, we cannot reject the hypothesis that individuals are not Bayesian in updating their risk beliefs.
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  • ANDERSSON Henrik, 2008. "Perception of Own Death Risk : A Reassessment of Road-Traffic Mortality Risk," LERNA Working Papers 08.26.270, LERNA, University of Toulouse.
    • Handle: RePEc:ler:wpaper:08.26.270
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniela Knuth & Doris Kehl & Lynn Hulse & Silke Schmidt, 2014. "Risk Perception, Experience, and Objective Risk: A Cross‐National Study with European Emergency Survivors," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 34(7), pages 1286-1298, July.
    2. W. Kip Viscusi & Richard J. Zeckhauser, 2015. "The Relative Weights of Direct and Indirect Experiences in the Formation of Environmental Risk Beliefs," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 35(2), pages 318-331, February.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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