Perspectives on Speeding
I fol ow the car in front of me. If I look at my
odometer and it’s going a bit over, I think “Al good,
I’l fol ow you and carry on.”
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Almost all testers acknowledged that they occasionally speed. Most justify their speeding behaviours
I’ve gone over the speed limit but I make sure it’s
as just keeping up with traffic/following cars in front and don’t necessarily consider this dangerous.
safe for me. If the speed limit is 100, I may do 120.
A leeway of up to 10 km is considered acceptable – and generally stil safe.
That’s probably my limit. But I know I can handle my
vehicle safely at that speed.
•
The perceived dangers of driving too slowly are often cited as justification for driving at, or just
above, the speed limit.
The message of ‘drive to the conditions’ really speaks
to me because I don’t think speeding is black and
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The immediacy of being pulled over by the Police is more impactful in encouraging drivers to think
about their speeding behaviour than speed camera fines. Testers reported feeling disappointed
white. If you’re driving too slow, you’re a danger too.
when receiving a speed camera ticket in the mail as they thought they had gotten away with their
speeding – as opposed to considering their driving behaviour.
When you get caught by the Police, it’s real time.
But when you’re doing a road trip up north, it’s like
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Current speeding penalties – especially those received from safety cameras – are not considered a
“Everyone else is speeding so we’re all good.” Then
sufficient deterrent to change driving behaviours.
you get something in the mail three weeks’ later and
you say “That’s not fair. Did those other four cars I
•
Some felt that penalties other than fines may be more effective in discouraging speeding – such as
community service or demerit points that accumulate to a loss of license.
wil driving in the queue with get fines too?”
You’re supposed to get penalties to deter you from
spending, but I really don’t know anyone who has
the mindset of “I got a fine. I should just slow down.”
I think New Zealanders think “Just give it a go and
see what happens. We’l be right.”
under the Official Information Act 1982
I don’t know if a monetary penalty is the answer.
Personal y for me, it’s time that is most valuable so if
someone penalised me for my time – like you’ve got
to spend one Saturday doing something – that would
get to me more than throwing money at a fine.
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