This paper reports an exploratory study of drivers' views and reactions in response to various manipulations involving speed cameras. 105 depth interviews were conducted, aiming to gain more insight into the impact of camera manipulation on drivers, and understand more about the thinking of four types of drivers identified in earlier research. At the end of an interview, each respondent was asked to complete an `akratic' exercise, asking questions about speed at which they drove. A person displays 'akratic' behaviour when, to obtain an immediate benefit, he decides on a course of action that would normally be against his considered judgement. The only correlation found, approaching statistical significance, was a weak relationship between type of speeder and the extent to which akratic explanations were important to the driver. Thus no definite evidence of akrasia was found in this sample, although akratic explanations for exceptional levels of speeding seem important.
Abstract