Survey shows improving attitudes to road safety

3.00 pm

A "speeding culture" remains strong in New Zealand but drivers are gradually letting go of misconceptions about risky driving, according to a Land Transport Safety Authority survey.

Changes in attitudes since the introduction in 1995 of targeted police enforcement and high-profile advertising campaigns included a higher perceived risk of being caught drink-driving, greater recognition of speed as a road safety risk and more people using seat belts.

"The long-held belief by some that speed isn't dangerous is steadily losing currency," authority director David Wright said in a statement today.

The authority's latest survey of public attitudes to road safety showed that 18 per cent of respondents thought they were unlikely to crash when speeding if they were careful -- down from 24 per cent in 1995.

Recognition of risks associated with drink-driving also increased, with just 7 per cent of respondents believing a drink-driving crash was unlikely if they were careful, compared with 13 per cent in 1995.

Despite the gradual attitude improvements Mr Wright said the speeding culture remained strong.

"There are some puzzling contradictions -- over 75 per cent of people agree that speed enforcement and compulsory breath-testing help to reduce the road toll, yet almost 40 per cent say they enjoy driving fast on the open road and 25 per cent admit they've driven while intoxicated," he said.

"We need to close the gap between people's attitudes and their behaviour behind the wheel."

The 2001 survey also found an increase in reported use of safety belts over previous years.

Only 6 per cent of those surveyed said they often or always drove without a safety belt on short trips -- down from 10 per cent in 1998 and 176 per cent in 1995.

Only 1 per cent said they seldom wore a safety belt on the open road, compared with 10 per cent in 1995.

Mr Wright said the survey revealed broad support for the authority's road safety advertising, with 51 per cent wanting it maintained at current levels while 43 per cent thought advertising should be increased.

Only 5 per cent thought there should be less road safety advertising.

- NZPA

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