Int. J. Tourism Anthropology, Vol. X, No. Y, xxxx 1 Copyright © 200x Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. The strange case of Pomar family: the dangers of roads Maximiliano E. Korstanje Department of Economics, University of Palermo, Larrea 1079 – 3 floor, Capital Federal, Buenos Aires, Argentina E-mail: maxikorstanje@fibertel.com.ar Abstract: Many studies conducted on risk-related issues use quantitative methods. Questionnaires or formal interviews are applied to subjects to construct some attitude or particular opinion about their sense of security. Since the risk-perception theory has been brought from cognitive psychology, there is a biased assumption to think this issue should use these survey types of techniques. In contrast, this article proposes that risk as social construal should be studied according to qualitative analyses that explore the connection between variables. That women perceive more risks than men can be a of second-order explanation, appropriate for opinion polls or managerial policies, but not scientific analysis. Risk should be studied using qualitative paradigms and with new approaches that allow expanding the existing understanding not only in its functioning but the connection with economy and social order. Based on the visual examination of 20 TV programmes and ten newspapers, this research focuses on the coverage of the media of Pomar’s tragedy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This case exemplifies not only how risk works, but also how media demonise some actors when they have no explanation for the events. Keywords: mobility; security; risk; dangers; accidents; death. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Korstanje, M.E. (xxxx) ‘The strange case of Pomar family: the dangers of roads’, Int. J. Tourism Anthropology, Vol. X, No. Y, pp.000–000. Biographical notes: Maximiliano E. Korstanje is an Associate Professor of University of Palermo and Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Safety and Security in Tourism/Hospitality. His research area is risk perception and disaster-management. With more than 300 published papers and 15 books, he works as an editorial board member of more than 20 tourism and disaster- related journals and international councils dedicated to the studies of risk. 1 Introduction The tragedy of Pomar family shocked public opinion not just because of the deaths, but also by their reasons. On 14 November of 2010, a family formed by Gabriela Villagran, Fernando Pomar and their two daughters became mysteriously became lost going to Pergamino, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. This mystery paved the ways for the Comment [t1]: Author: Please confirm if the amended mailing address of M.E. Korstanje is correct.