Citation

Corbett C, Simon F. Br. J. Criminol. 1992; 32(4): 537-549.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In contrast to the 'dispositional' view of offending—that offenders are driven by internal forces over which they have little control—the rational choice perspective conceives of the offender as choosing to commit crimes in order to satisfy certain needs. In so far as the process necessarily involves the potential offender in an attempt to weigh up the opportunities, costs, and benefits of offending, the decision-making is said to be rational (Cornish and Clarke 1986). The rational choice model has been applied to a range of different offences including robbery (Walsh 1986), shoplifting (Carroll and Weaver 1986) and opioid addiction (Bennett 1986). Rational choice theory has been developed and discussed by several writers (e.g. Hirschi 1986) and especially by Cornish and Clarke (1989). In this paper we examine traffic offending in the light particularly of the latters' approach. First we summarize the main points of Cornish and Clarke's (1989) presentation of the theory, and then we describe data selected from our own research as relevant. After considering the extent to which our material fits Cornish and Clarke's framework, we broaden the approach by discussing the concept of limited rationality in regard to breaches of traffic laws. Finally, we examine the implications of our findings for reducing offending on the roads.