Why is it important to influence behaviour, not develop skill?

It seems logical; driving is a skill so if we enhance that skill we will produce a safer driver? On this basis it would be a reasonable mental leap to presume that racecar drivers would be involved in fewer crashes on public roads than the average motorist - but are they?

Research tells us that racecar drivers are involved in significantly more crashes and violations on public roads than the average motorist, yet they are arguably the most skilled drivers on our roads. Unfortunately there's no prizes for guessing why; they take significantly more risks, drive faster and under are the misapprehension that talent can compensate for carelessness and stupidity.