Abstract
The causes of accidents from a psychological perspective are examined and the ways in which a driver's capability falls short of what is required at such incidents. The Task-Capability Interface model is used to provide an initial attempt to conceptualise such conditions. It is concluded that safety problems may emerge where a driver overestimates their capability in an unrecognised manner. The model indicates that accident prevention strategies should focus on differences between the demands of a driving task and driver capability.