Dr Elizabeth Box, Research director at the RAC Foundation, sheds light on the prevalence of speeding, prevailing attitudes and offers insights on how to engage in essential conversations about speed with our loved ones.
Current average speed statistics
Before we delve into how best to broach difficult conversations about speeding, let's take a closer look at some eye-opening statistics. According to recent Department for Transport data, on average 50% of car drivers exceed the speed limit on 30mph roads in free-flowing traffic [1]. Furthermore, a recent survey by the RAC found that 40% of drivers admitted to occasionally exceeding the 30mph limit [2]. Speeding diminishes the time and space available to react to road conditions and hazards, especially in urban areas – it is important therefore to reduce the number of drivers that are exceeding the speed limits on our roads!
Attitudes towards speeding
While it is commonly assumed that speeding is socially acceptable, public opinion surveys reveal a more nuanced reality. Despite some individuals admitting to speeding themselves, a recent survey conducted by IAM RoadSmart found that 88% of the motorists polled stated that drivers speeding on residential streets was a very/somewhat serious threat to their personal safety [3]. Additionally, 60% of respondents believed that speeding had become a more significant problem compared to three years ago [4]. These findings demonstrate that, despite the prevalence of speeding, many people remain concerned about it, which opens up the opportunity to initiate conversations with loved ones about their speeding behaviours.
Effective strategies for broaching difficult conversations
When broaching the topic of speeding, it's essential to establish conversation ground rules (such as using ‘I’ rather than ‘you’ sentences), share factual information, practise self-awareness (such as active listening) and communicate directly and honestly while maintaining respect for the other person’s perspective.
When broaching the topic of speeding […] express your concern for the person’s safety and the wellbeing of others on the road. It can be useful to share personal experiences or stories too.
Approach any conversation about change with empathy and understanding – this will help to promote a constructive and respectful conversation. Express your concern for the person’s safety and the wellbeing of others on the road. It can be useful to share personal experiences or stories too. You could also try:
- Being a role model: Lead by example. Demonstrate a commitment to safe driving practices, obey speed limits, admit when you’ve got it wrong and follow traffic rules consistently. Your actions can inspire your loved ones to do the same.
- Helping family and friends to reflect on their behaviours: Consider encouraging your family and friends to reflect on why they speed. Work with them to identify the circumstances that lead to it (like running late for work), and work together to develop plans for avoiding such situations or strategies for handling them when they arise, such as dealing with pressure from other drivers to speed.
Starting a conversation about speeding maybe challenging, but it's an essential step toward improving the safety of everyone on the roads. Remember, these conversations may be uncomfortable at first, but they can ultimately save lives. Let’s talk about speed.
References
- DfT (2022) Percentage of cars exceeding the speed limit by road type (SPE0116)
- RAC (2022) Keeping motorists mobile: RAC Report on Motoring 2022, p.68.
- IAM RoadSmart (2022) Driving Safety Culture Survey 2022, Q4, p.12.
- IAM RoadSmart (2022) Driving Safety Culture Survey 2022, Q1, p.6.
Dr Elizabeth Box, Research Director, RAC Foundation
Elizabeth is a prominent transport researcher and commissioner with 20 years of experience. She holds a PhD in Transport Psychology, is the Research Director for the RAC Foundation and consults for Co-Pilot, a road safety education start-up.