November 21, 2005

MORE THAN 40% OF AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS ARE GUILTY OF SPEEDING BUT DON'T BELIEVE THE POLICE - NATIONAL SURVEY

A national survey has revealed more than 40 percent of drivers have been fined for speeding in the past five years with almost 20 percent more than twice and some more than five times.

However, 70 percent believed that the speed cameras and/or speed guns used by the Police Department did not record accurate results.

National car insurance provider, Budget Direct conducted the online survey over the months of September and October 2005 attracting between 18,000 and 60,000 responses to five separate questions.

Budget Direct CEO Michael Weston said the results showed an alarmingly high number of drivers who had been caught speeding in the last five years. There was also an obvious credibility problem for Police Services with the widespread perception of inaccurate speed camera readings. Such a perception is certain to undermine the effectiveness of the fines.

"These results are alarming - clearly speeding has almost become the norm. This perception that speed cameras and guns are inaccurate could be contributing to this trend. The Police need to change this perception.

"The vast majority of respondents (70 percent) held a very Sceptical view of the legitimacy of police tactics in recording speed limits - almost 27 percent of fines being issued while driving down a hill or slope would clearly contribute to such a cynical attitude. It also shows that current campaigns to stop people speeding aren't working as well as they should," he said.

A state-by-state breakdown showed that NSW drivers had actually received the lowest proportion of speeding fines since 2000, while Western Australian drivers received the highest proportion.

Whilst the majority of fined drivers had amended their driving behaviour to some extent after receiving a speeding ticket, only 11 percent stated that they generally drove slower on the road as a result. The survey also revealed that 31 percent of drivers who had received one or more speeding fines said the fine hadn't changed the way they drive at all.

More than 17 percent of respondents were repeat offenders having received two or more speeding fines since 2000 with 3 percent having been fined five or more times.

Over half of all speeding fines (56 percent) were received while driving on an open road or freeway and 5 percent in a School Zone.