The general 80 km/h speed limit in the netherlands for roads outside built-up areas is exceeded by a large proportion of motorists. In the present study the authors investigate whether various forms of selective police surveillance can have an effect on the speeding behaviour on this type of road. A number of conclusions are drawn and practical recommendations are formulated including the possibility, within the manpower of a particular force, of setting up intensified surveillance selectively directed at speeding behaviour. This can result in significant reductions in the registered speeds. The amount of speed reduction is directly dependent on the specific form of surveillance strategy. The intensified surveillance is recognized by the road users. Intensified surveillance also affects the attitudes and opinions of the road users who were confronted with it. Surveillance strategies which rely on non-stationary police cars and motorcycles are the least effective. The combination of a radar checkpost with an obtrusive police car from which speeding motorists are stopped has a notable effect on speeding behaviour.
Abstract