There are plenty of studies on that field. For technical studies, I guess someone else might have better indications then I have. For a theoretical support for your study, I suggest you to read both Foucault approach and Deleuze's.

On a foucaultian approach, rules have a more direct impact on disciplining people. On a deleuzian approach, advertisement and soft control have much more impact.

Here is a link to Deleuze's papper about control societies:

https://cidadeinseguranca.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/deleuze_control.pdf

Thank you Mr. Cosenza. I am going through these approaches now.

An example that first came to mind was when automakers began making airbags and Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) optional equipment. I think the Chevrolet Caviler had some models where the consumer could buy either, both, or neither options.  

The results were interesting. As I recall, more accidents occurred with the options, not fewer as expected; however, fewer deaths and maybe smaller insurance payouts were associated with the safety equipment.  For example, drivers who drive with an arm across the steering wheel can fracture a jaw if the airbag deploys; imagine a hand hitting at jaw at 180 mph. Compared with death or serious injury, this outcome is superior.  As I recall, more relatively minor injuries replaced fatalities. It was not that the safety equipment did not work.  The more likely explanation was that drivers who now feel safer (with ABS) typically drive faster especially on snow and ice because they feel safer.  Economists often call this moral hazard.  

Although this is a long response, it is similar in comparison with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or so-called Obamacare in the US.  It would be interesting to see if people choose different lifestyles when they are required to by health insurance.

Although it is a small and unscientific sample, the drivers I have known who did let their vehicle insurance lapse, tended to drive much more carefully knowing they were uninsured.  Similarly, those drive without a required valid license may tend to obey traffic laws more than those who face less risk from what I have observed.  

All of these examples are an attempt to suggest that research issues the one you proposed are both fascinating and complex,  I hope this helps.

Rob

Hi Rob,

Thanks for you detailed explanaton with examples. I am happy as you found this issue as fascinating however, now worried as you find it complex.

I m doing my PhD in consumer resistance to innovations in cars. A phenomenon I have seen is that consumers dont adopt innovations until they are forced on them by the authorities. Like in India, Seat belts and helmets are not worn on regular basis till the govt brings in a rule making it compulsion. Hence, what I deduce from this behaviour of consumers is that they will avoid innovation till they are forced to accept by govt.

I would model it out by using the threshold model of collective behavior: https://sociology.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/publications/threshold_models_ajs_1978.pdf