Exceeding the speed limit is common behaviour amongst drivers on Scotland's roads, and previous research has shown that many drivers consider speeding to be acceptable. Changing drivers' attitudes towards speeding is an important objective amongst road safety professionals and a study has been undertaken to determine the characteristics of Scotland's speeding drivers. The study is aimed at: (1) identifying any specific groups of drivers who are more likely to speed; (2) to determine the personal profiles of drivers reported by the police for speeding offences; and (3) to determine whether there are noticeable differences between the characteristics of drivers caught speeding in different speed limits. The main research activity consisted of analysis of the police records on drivers reported for speeding. A sample of Scotland's police authorities was selected, and data was obtained on conditional offers and police reports issued for speeding offences. This data was used in combination with other data relating to the characteristics of the driving population in general to achieve the study objectives. The information from the study will be used to guide future information campaigns aimed at reducing the incidence of speeding, and can be compared to information from previous studies into attitudes towards speeding.
Abstract