Speed management
RoadSafe believes that eliminating excessivespeed will save
lives. The challenge is for driving at inappropriate speed to be seen as anti
social. RoadSafe works with others... To support and promote programmes of
coordinated action in a whole range of areas including engineering, technology,
training, communication, regulation and its enforcement. To develop integrated
initiatives to encourage stakeholders to introduce sensible speed policies and
modern technologies to give better driver information. To identify and promote
local successful speed reduction initiatives and policies, then campaign to have
them adopted nationally. Download RoadSafe's policy on speeding Research from the Transport Research Laboratory TRL has provided evidence of three different types on the effect of speed on crashes and collisions. Studies of individual drivers show that when exceeding the average speed by 25% a driver is about 6 times as likely to be involved in an incident in comparison with a driver
adopting the average speed. This is similar to the risk associated with alcohol
at the legal limit of 80mg/100ml blood alcohol content. Studies of road sections
show that for roads of each type, the number of crashes and collisions increases
with increasing average speed  the effect varies on different road types and is
strongest for the slowest roads. A ball-park figure is that each 1mph reduction
in average speed is accompanied by a 5% reduction in accidents. Traffic calming
measures (e.g. road humps and chicanes) in 20mph zones have reduced average speeds by about 10mph and resulted in a 50% reduction in collisions. Measures adopted in rural villages have reduced average speeds by about 5mph and resulted in at least 20% fewer collisions. Research at Napier University shows that individuals are aware that speeds they normally adopt when alone are actually unsafe. For example, participants described situations in which they would slow down such as the presence of a speed camera or child in the car. This suggests that individuals know that if they see a camera they would need to slow down because they would be exceeding the limit. Changing attitudes to speed needto relate to influences on speed: Obligations - such as keeping appointments, picking up kids, and generally meeting the tight time schedules of modern life. Opportunities - that allows speeding to take place, such as a fast car and a clear road. Inclinations - performing behaviours in accordance with personal preference such as I like to speed as it feels good. Road safety professionals recognise that speed management isa very important
tool for improving road safety. However, improving compliance with speed limits
and reducing unsafe driving speeds are not easy tasks. Many drivers do not
recognize the risks involved and often the perceived benefits of speeding
outweigh the perceived problems that can result. An excellent international
manual consisting of a series of 'how to' modules is now available. It provides
evidence of why speed management is important and takes the user through the
steps needed to assess the situation in their own country. It then explains the
steps needed to design, plan and implement a programme, including how to obtain funding, set up a working group, develop an action plan and, if necessary,
introduce appropriate legislation. It considers the potential role of measures
involving engineering and enforcement, as well as using education to change
speed related behaviour. Finally, the manual guides the user on how to monitor
and evaluate the programme so that the results can be fed back into programme
design. For each of these activities, the document outlines in a practical way
the various steps that need to be taken. Other websitesVisit the Department for
Transport website for more information. Our six key