Scientific and public attitudes to road traffic speed are described. A study was conducted of 440 drivers stopped by Thames Valley Police for exceeding the speed limit and who subsequently attended a speed management course. The average age of participants was 38 and only 3% were under the age of 20. Participants attended the course to avoid the fine and in particular getting penalty points on their driving licences. There was a significant correlation between sensation-seeking and choice of higher speeds. Some speeders admitted to being under time pressure. The majority considered that the police had been justified in stopping them. The course was considered useful. The majority of the drivers expressed (anonymously) an intention to drive more slowly in the future. A course motivation of paying for the course but not receiving penalty points was considered an acceptable way of funding the course. For the covering abstract see ITRD E124157.
Samenvatting