A Radio Story Reported a Study on the Makes and Models

Multiple Choice

A radio story reported a study on the makes and models of cars that were observed going through intersections in the Washington, D.C. area without stopping at the stop signs. According to the story, Volvos were heavily overrepresented; the fraction of cars running stop signs that were Volvos was much greater than the fraction of Volvos in the total population of cars in the D.C. area. This is initially surprising because Volvo has built a reputation as an especially safe car that appeals to sensible, safety-conscious drivers. How is this observation best explained?

A) Volvo drivers are not willing to take risks that they would take in another, less safe car. Driving a Volvo leads to a propensity to run stop signs.
B) Volvo drivers are not willing to take risks that they would take in another, less safe car. Driving a Volvo reduces the propensity to run stop signs.
C) Volvo drivers are willing to take risks that they would not take in another, less safe car. Driving a Volvo reduces the propensity to run stop signs.
D) Volvo drivers are willing to take risks that they would not take in another, less safe car. Driving a Volvo leads to a propensity to run stop signs.