1121 drivers completed a 20-minute in-home interview in the Strathclyde Police Area, UK. Of this sample, 28% had been stopped by the police for speeding during their driving career and 20% has been flashed by a speed camera in the past three years. Almost half of the male drivers and a quarter of the female drivers had been caught speeding. Most speeders were in the 25-64 age range. Recent road traffic accident involvement was higher for speeders than non-speeders. 52% of the drivers said that they would speed up if late and 27% siad that they would drive faster if the traffic around them was driving faster than they would normally drive. Some drivers indicated that they would drive more slowly if stressed whereas others indicated that they would drive faster. 12% would speed up if being tailgated whereas 34% said that they would slow down. 17- to 24-year-old drivers were more likely to drive slowly if there were children or old people in the car, yet they were also more likely to drive faster if listening to music. 17- to 44-year-olds were more likely to drive faster if late for a meeting or if the weather was hot. 17- to 54-year-olds were more likely to drive slowly near speed cameras or signs for speed cameras. 45- to 64-year-olds were more likely to drive at slower speeds after dark. High mileage drivers were least likely to slow down when driving on unfamiliar roads. Most male drivers who reported having been involved in a road traffic accident said they slowed down when they spotted a speed camera, when driving with children in the car, and when being close-followed; they also drove faster when running late, when feeling stressed, when listening to music and when the weather is hot. No significant differences in response frequency were found for women drivers who had or had not had accidents. For the covering abstract see ITRD E124157.
Abstract