Social acceptance of automatic policing systems is an important determinant of their effectiveness and a facilitating factor for their implementation. In the present study on-site equipment provided drivers with information about their speeding behaviour by means of a Variable Message Sign. In addition the equipment enforced the speed limit automatically. Before and during the application of enforcement two surveys were conducted. In both surveys social acceptance was measured. This appeared to be associated with four factors: (i) societal effects, (ii) positive personal effects, (iii) enforcement effects, and (iv) fairness of policing system. Furthermore, speed was measured. No effects of automatic policing on social acceptance were found. Drivers stayed (highly) positive about policing systems. Speed appeared to be lower in the second survey because of the VMS and enforcement. (A)
Abstract