A panel of experts has advised the government to alter its strategy to reduce speeding on UK roads. The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety said that the Government needs to encourage the public to think of speeding as socially unacceptable.
The report makes a parallel with smoking: 'It took many years for the message that "smoking kills" to disseminate into the public consciousness. This was achieved through almost continual lobbying and campaigning, highlighting research findings and supporting this through the introduction of legislation.'
It suggests that speeding should be treated the same way, and suggests using celebrity 'advocates' to try to create more of a social stigma against speeding.
'Speeding is perceived as not being a "real" crime and commonplace, indicated by the number of people with points on their licence.' the report said. The experts suggest that encouraging 'behavioural changes' may be a more effective weapon against speeding than simply putting up more speed cameras.