This report describes the outcomes of a study funded by the Motor Accidents Authority (MAA) of New South Wales (NSW) to assess the use, acceptability and effectiveness in reducing speeding of manual speed alerting and cruise control devices to a sample of drivers from metropolitan and rural NSW. Four focus groups were conducted, two in Sydney (metropolitan) and two in Wagga Wagga (rural), involving 31 drivers aged 25 to 49 years, who were either users or non-users of the systems discussed. Overall, the participants held positive attitudes towards manual speed alerting devices and, in particular, cruise control systems and felt that these devices are generally effective in helping them to control and maintain their speed. However, differences in the use and acceptability of these devices were observed across drivers from metropolitan and rural areas. Recommendations for refining the functional and ergonomic design of existing manual speed alerting and cruise control devices are provided. The report concludes with recommendations for further research. (Author/publisher)
Abstract