‘Incentivizing’ safety isn’t as easy as it sounds, counters our law student

Our law students write

In response to a recent National Post oped by 3L Laura Mcgee, "Don't regulate safety, incentivize it," law student Andrew Mihalik responds with a ‘tread with caution’ post.

Mihalik says incentives can be a good way to effect a socially desirable outcome. But the second-year JD/MBA student reminds us behavioural economics has shown that people do not always react in self-interested, rational ways.

“Often, incentives can have unintended—if not perverse—consequences,” says Mihalik.

Read his oped, coauthored with Colin West, here.