In cooperation with the Dutch municipality of Waddinxveen, the police performed a unique, preventative experiment locally, as part of the post-holiday campaign: 'We're going back to school'. The speed controls in Waddinxveen were held on roads in the vicinity of primary schools which need to be frequently crossed by school children. On control days, motorists who drove faster than 50 km/h were stopped, but not fined. The upper grade primary school children asked questions about why they were speeding. After the interview, the drivers received a brochure containing information about the campaign, braking distance, fines, etcetera. The main results of the process evaluation are as follows: (1) Amongst the police members who cooperated with the study, the campaigns were generally regarded in a positive way. They were fairly unanimous in their opinion that the tolerance level of 30 km/h, below which fines were not given, was too high; and (2) a questionnaire form could be sent by the police to about half the motorists (N=215). 110 people returned the questionnaire form. The questionnaire results can only offer a general indication. An important result is that three quarters of the respondents believes that being confronted by children makes a greater impression than a fine.
Samenvatting