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The accident-prone person is commonly impulsive, drawn to adventure and excitement, and always in search of immediate gratification.
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The concept of accident-proneness is one that has been hotly debated over at least the past eight decades. In 1918, researchers discovered that there were statistical anomalies in the number of accidents experienced by a small group of people. This small group of people experienced more than their expected share of accidents. While the statistical effect is rather small overall, some say that there is empirical evidence to support the concept of accident-proneness. The fact that some individuals seem to be "accident repeaters" is often noted by management in organizations, traffic regulators, sports instructors, and other areas where accidents seem to be a part of life for some. Many industries report that it appears as though a small percentage of their workers seem to commit the majority of the accidents. The fact is, our world is fraught with dangers, and the ability to manage these dangers is paramount in preventing accidents.
While some people might claim to have bad luck that gets them into accidents all the time, it could be that they are making conscious and subconscious decisions that get them into situations where they're more likely to be at risk. In life, people are often required to walk a fine line between being able to function in what could potentially become a dangerous situation, and becoming too comfortable, even reckless, in these situations. An extremely cautious person might become excessively nervous and stressed out when an element of danger exists (i.e., cracking under the pressure), but by going too far in the opposite direction, a person might take chances that look unnecessarily risky.
How a person reacts emotionally in these situations is the result of a combination of personality factors such as the tendency for sensation-seeking and harm-avoidance, two of the elements included on this test. The feelings a person experiences when exposed to the potential for danger influences whether he or she is very cautious or, on the contrary, tends to underestimate the risk. Another important personality trait is safety conscientiousness, which in this context, is important for determining whether a person feels a need to adhere to safety rules and precautions, or chooses to neglect them. Finally, the ability to concentrate for long periods of time can help ward off accidents caused by failure to pay attention.
A person's attitude towards safety rules and precautions is also relevant in determining the physical gambles he or she is willing to take. Having a scornful attitude towards rules does not lead to good safety habits, and neither does having a tendency to blame others or feeling powerless to prevent accidents. In addition, an attitude of "one-upmanship" or a tendency to take dares can also contribute to the amount of accidents a person experiences.
It is important to note that there are elements that are impossible (or, due to employment laws, illegal) to include in this test but could still play an important role in accidents, both on and off the job. The first relates to poor physical coordination. Many people, when put into a physically risky environment, are more likely than others to get hurt. Another factor that may play a role is the consumption of alcohol or drugs. Finally, sometimes a person's environment plays an important role in the occurrence of accidents. This is especially important when considering on-the-job accidents. Recent years have seen a rise in behavioral safety schemes in order to educate employees about safety hazards found on the job and hopefully, prevent injuries to themselves or others.
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