Prof Charles Musselwhite
@charliemuss.bsky.social
Professor & Head of Psychology at Aberystwyth Uni. Fellow of Academy of Social Sciences. Research interests in how we connect with communities around us as we age inc transport, tech & built env. Loves prog rock, football (Swansea & Gosport fan) & cricket.
Likewise. You're doing great work! Let's think how we can bring it all together.
January 15, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Likewise. You're doing great work! Let's think how we can bring it all together.
Reposted by Prof Charles Musselwhite
I wrote this a couple years ago, warning that car safety tech will never be a panacea.
A big reason why: Drivers take more risks when they assume technology will protect them if something goes wrong. It's known as the Peltzman effect, and it's really bad news if you're walking or biking.
A big reason why: Drivers take more risks when they assume technology will protect them if something goes wrong. It's known as the Peltzman effect, and it's really bad news if you're walking or biking.
Don’t expect your car’s safety technology to save you
What if ADAS is just for convenience?
www.theverge.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:47 PM
I wrote this a couple years ago, warning that car safety tech will never be a panacea.
A big reason why: Drivers take more risks when they assume technology will protect them if something goes wrong. It's known as the Peltzman effect, and it's really bad news if you're walking or biking.
A big reason why: Drivers take more risks when they assume technology will protect them if something goes wrong. It's known as the Peltzman effect, and it's really bad news if you're walking or biking.
This is a great find. Thank you.
November 16, 2025 at 4:48 PM
This is a great find. Thank you.
Free full paper link for 50 days here:
authors.elsevier.com/c/1m4Iq56Waj...
authors.elsevier.com/c/1m4Iq56Waj...
authors.elsevier.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Free full paper link for 50 days here:
authors.elsevier.com/c/1m4Iq56Waj...
authors.elsevier.com/c/1m4Iq56Waj...
👥 For politicians & policymakers: early backlash to 20 mph limits is normal - but it fades.
As people see safer streets & clearer info, negativity drops and support grows.
✅ Communicate local benefits
✅ Tackle misinformation early
✅ Link 20 mph to wellbeing, not restriction
#20mph #PublicPolicy
As people see safer streets & clearer info, negativity drops and support grows.
✅ Communicate local benefits
✅ Tackle misinformation early
✅ Link 20 mph to wellbeing, not restriction
#20mph #PublicPolicy
November 9, 2025 at 9:47 AM
👥 For politicians & policymakers: early backlash to 20 mph limits is normal - but it fades.
As people see safer streets & clearer info, negativity drops and support grows.
✅ Communicate local benefits
✅ Tackle misinformation early
✅ Link 20 mph to wellbeing, not restriction
#20mph #PublicPolicy
As people see safer streets & clearer info, negativity drops and support grows.
✅ Communicate local benefits
✅ Tackle misinformation early
✅ Link 20 mph to wellbeing, not restriction
#20mph #PublicPolicy
💡 Key takeaway: even controversial policies can gain acceptance when:
The benefits become visible (e.g., fewer crashes, safer streets)
People have time to adapt
Communication is open & evidence-led
Behaviour change takes time — but it does happen.
#PublicPolicy #Transport #Wales
The benefits become visible (e.g., fewer crashes, safer streets)
People have time to adapt
Communication is open & evidence-led
Behaviour change takes time — but it does happen.
#PublicPolicy #Transport #Wales
November 9, 2025 at 9:47 AM
💡 Key takeaway: even controversial policies can gain acceptance when:
The benefits become visible (e.g., fewer crashes, safer streets)
People have time to adapt
Communication is open & evidence-led
Behaviour change takes time — but it does happen.
#PublicPolicy #Transport #Wales
The benefits become visible (e.g., fewer crashes, safer streets)
People have time to adapt
Communication is open & evidence-led
Behaviour change takes time — but it does happen.
#PublicPolicy #Transport #Wales
📊 Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) & VADER sentiment analysis, we explored how public debate evolved.
At first, the 20 mph policy was framed as “political” — but over time, talk shifted toward safety, children, and urban mobility.
People began seeing the benefits 🚸
At first, the 20 mph policy was framed as “political” — but over time, talk shifted toward safety, children, and urban mobility.
People began seeing the benefits 🚸
November 9, 2025 at 9:47 AM
📊 Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) & VADER sentiment analysis, we explored how public debate evolved.
At first, the 20 mph policy was framed as “political” — but over time, talk shifted toward safety, children, and urban mobility.
People began seeing the benefits 🚸
At first, the 20 mph policy was framed as “political” — but over time, talk shifted toward safety, children, and urban mobility.
People began seeing the benefits 🚸