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Direct car insurer, elephant.co.uk surveyed 1,200 British
motorists to find out their opinion on speed limits and speed
cameras. Its findings contradict government policy on speeding
at a time when they are planning to charge speeding motorists
an additional £5 to fund victims of crime.
The survey revealed that women are just as likely to break
the speed limit, but men are more likely to be caught. Over
two thirds of all motorists admit they regularly drive above
the legal limit, but 29% of men say they have been caught,
compared with 17% of women.
elephant.co.uk asked motorists what they think of current
speed limits in cities and on motorways. Perhaps surprisingly
more men than women favour a reduction in the speed limit in
residential areas; 35% of men think it should be 20mph, compared
with 30% of women. Most drivers, 61% believe the current limit
of 30mph is fine.
However, motorways are a different matter. Only 20% believe
the current limit of 70mph is acceptable. 55% think it should
be raised to 80mph and 23% think it should be even higher.
More men favour faster motorways than women. Overall 85% of
men think the speed limit should be raised, compared with 69%
of women.
Managing director of elephant.co.uk, Tanzie Oliver,
said, "There are no plans to change the current speed
limits on UK roads, but our research suggests it would be popular
with motorists at a time when most government policy on road
transport is seen as anti-motorist. Motorways are the safest
roads statistically so I can see no reason why an increase
to 80mph wouldn't be possible."
elephant.co.uk also questioned motorists on another
contentious issue, speed cameras. There are currently over
5,000 permanent speed cameras on our roads, and according to
elephant.co.uk's research, 14% of motorists have been caught
speeding by them.
Motorists are firmly divided on their effectiveness at improving
road safety; overall 44% think they make our roads safer, and
47% think they don't. Women motorists view them more favourably
than men; 54% think they improve road safety compared with
43% of men.
Not surprisingly most of the motorists elephant.co.uk surveyed
do not think police forces should install more speed cameras.
Only 36% think there should be more.
Tanzie Oliver, said, "There is a lot of negativity about
speed cameras. Most motorists are cynical about their purpose
and think they are just there to generate revenue for the police.
The government needs to address the views of motorists before
installing more of them and increasing speeding fines by £5
to fund victims of crime."
Issue date: 14/01/2004
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