Abstract
The author describes some findings from work being carried out at Manchester University into the way in which psychological, social and environmental factors influence the decision whether or not to violate traffic laws. From an investigation of psychological factors, the author suggests that how the behaviour makes you feel may be as important as the functional pros and cons of the behaviour. The percieved expectations of other people are found to be a particularly strong social influence. Driving behaviour changes with the presence of a passenger. Environmental influences include attitudes towards speed limits, situations where a violation appears neccessary, the perception of the road as a battlefield and the design of modern cars.