Q1. Assuming that crime is a rational choice, how can the explanation of
criminality and the ideas related to crime prevention as presented by Choice
theorists help us to better understand and prevent/decrease the number of traffic
violations that are rampantly occurring in the city of Lahore? ( 13 Marks )
The rational choice theory is a set of ideas which help us to better evaluate how and
why crimes may occur. The main argument presented by choice theorists in this case is that, individuals
who are looking to commit a crime usually perform a Cost-benefit analysis to determine the possible
self-benefits and consequences of committing any crime. Some of the most common
reasons/motivations for committing crimes include, personal financial gain, revenge, and to earn a
feeling of satisfaction. While these are accurate it must also be noted that some people may also
commit crimes 'just for the thrill of it', meaning that they may engage in such acts just to get a
adrenaline rush ( a physical feeling of intense excitement ).
Traffic law violations are perhaps one of the most common crimes which are being
committed throughout the world. Such acts occur mostly in overpopulated areas, where there may also
be intense levels of traffic, such is the case in Lahore which is one of the most populated mega-cities of
Pakistan. Some of the most common traffic violations include, failure to obey traffic signals, speeding,
not wearing a seat-belt, not using turn signals, tailgating ( lack of safe distance between cars ), drunk
driving/driving under influence, ignoring the presence of pedestrians, driving without a license
( ignoring minimum age limit for driving ), etc. Although these traffic violations occur in every country,
it is a commonly seen that traffic violations are more common in underdeveloped, overpopulated, and
in countries which lack proper law enforcement. Keeping in mind the explanations of crime by choice
theorists, one can assume that traffic violations are also a form of crime which is based on rational
decision making, where the criminal may calculate the probability of being caught. For example a
person who wants to break a traffic signal ( red ) may quickly observe his/her surroundings, here the
main factors which he/she may observe may include, the presence of traffic police, the probability of
getting away safely if there was a police chase, the number of other vehicles present ( to avoid a car
crash ), the possible fines or penalties etc. Moreover, some common reasons for committing traffic
crimes are, the presence of a clear opportunity to commit crime, low chances of being caught, lack of
criminality and the ideas related to crime prevention as presented by Choice
theorists help us to better understand and prevent/decrease the number of traffic
violations that are rampantly occurring in the city of Lahore? ( 13 Marks )
The rational choice theory is a set of ideas which help us to better evaluate how and
why crimes may occur. The main argument presented by choice theorists in this case is that, individuals
who are looking to commit a crime usually perform a Cost-benefit analysis to determine the possible
self-benefits and consequences of committing any crime. Some of the most common
reasons/motivations for committing crimes include, personal financial gain, revenge, and to earn a
feeling of satisfaction. While these are accurate it must also be noted that some people may also
commit crimes 'just for the thrill of it', meaning that they may engage in such acts just to get a
adrenaline rush ( a physical feeling of intense excitement ).
Traffic law violations are perhaps one of the most common crimes which are being
committed throughout the world. Such acts occur mostly in overpopulated areas, where there may also
be intense levels of traffic, such is the case in Lahore which is one of the most populated mega-cities of
Pakistan. Some of the most common traffic violations include, failure to obey traffic signals, speeding,
not wearing a seat-belt, not using turn signals, tailgating ( lack of safe distance between cars ), drunk
driving/driving under influence, ignoring the presence of pedestrians, driving without a license
( ignoring minimum age limit for driving ), etc. Although these traffic violations occur in every country,
it is a commonly seen that traffic violations are more common in underdeveloped, overpopulated, and
in countries which lack proper law enforcement. Keeping in mind the explanations of crime by choice
theorists, one can assume that traffic violations are also a form of crime which is based on rational
decision making, where the criminal may calculate the probability of being caught. For example a
person who wants to break a traffic signal ( red ) may quickly observe his/her surroundings, here the
main factors which he/she may observe may include, the presence of traffic police, the probability of
getting away safely if there was a police chase, the number of other vehicles present ( to avoid a car
crash ), the possible fines or penalties etc. Moreover, some common reasons for committing traffic
crimes are, the presence of a clear opportunity to commit crime, low chances of being caught, lack of
