In this paper it is stated that no enforcement agency has sufficient resources to enforce all the laws, everywhere, all the time. A possible solution is a strategy of enforcement to deter. In the mid 1970s, a tripartite research programme was undertaken involving the (British) Home office, Plessey Systems Research, and Sussex Police (project `2001'). Structured experiments were conducted to measure the effect of enforcement on various aspects of undesirable/dangerous driver behaviour. The results of these experiments led to tactics which combine enforcement activity and publicity, both at the sites concerned and generally in local press, radio, etc. The results of the use of publicity including explanations for the activity (protection of life, etc.) are: (1) Support of majority of public for the activity; (2) Reduced sympathy for those detected; (3) Public appreciation generally of openness of their Police; and (4) it is perceived to be fair. It is now well established in Sussex that the principle objective of enforcement to deter is to increase in the mind of the road users their perception of the risk of being detected in the event of their offending. (A)
Abstract