A city recently increased the number of traffic police officers deployed downtown by 50 percent in an effort to catch speeding drivers. Surprisingly, during the six months following this deployment, the total number of speeding tickets issued downtown per month decreased significantly.
Which of the following, if true, best helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy described above?
- Drivers aware of the increased police presence exercised greater caution and drove within the speed limit far more consistently.Answer
- BThe newly deployed traffic police officers underwent advanced training on detecting speeding vehicles.
- CNeighboring municipalities that did not increase police patrols saw a minor increase in traffic violations during the same period.
- DMost traffic police officers prefer patrolling quiet residential avenues over heavily congested commercial streets.
- EThe city recently increased the monetary fines associated with speeding tickets issued in commercial districts.
Answer
The apparent discrepancy is best resolved by the fact that drivers, aware of the increased police presence, exercised greater caution and drove within the speed limit far more consistently.
The statement about drivers exercising greater caution reconciles both facts: although there were 50 percent more police officers looking for speeding infractions, the drivers altered their behavior to obey speed limits, resulting in fewer total speeding violations and thus fewer tickets issued.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Resolving Paradoxes and Discrepancies