Peacetime obedience and the Victoria-Camperdown collision

What encouraged Royal Navy officers to follow the letter rather than the spirit of orders before HMS Victoria collided with Camperdown?

Peacetime risk aversion and ego rewarded exact obedience, leaving officers less prepared to challenge a dangerous order or exercise independent judgment.

Peacetime organisations can become cautious about mistakes and reputation, making literal obedience seem safer. That habit rewards officers for following the exact words of an order even when conditions change. The danger is cumulative across a career. Officers trained not to interpret or challenge orders may lack the judgement needed when they later issue commands or face an obviously unsafe manoeuvre.