Latest TAC data reveals young males attitudes to speeding

27 Jun 2012

Media Release: 27 June 2012 

New Transport Accident Commission (TAC) research has revealed an interesting snapshot of attitudes to speeding among young men.

The results are revealed in the TAC's latest tracking survey assessing the first quarter of 2012.

In the first quarter of 2012, 12 per cent of males aged 18-20 said they were caught speeding, compared to 5 per cent of the whole population.
But 25 per cent of males aged 18-20 say they never exceed the speed limit when driving. The only other group where such a large percentage said they never drove over the speed limit, was older females aged over 50 years.

34 per cent believe it's likely that they will get caught, if they speed.

When it came to young men, the survey also found that:

• 97 per cent of those surveyed agree that driving at 10km/h over the limit is speeding
• 13 per cent say if they are sure they won't be caught, they will drive over the speed limit
• 15 per cent believe driving up to 10km/h over the limit is usually quite safe
• 39 per cent view speed zones as guides, rather than the maximum limit, compared to 29 per cent of the general population.

TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said these results clearly show that many young men aged 18-20 understood that speeding was illegal.

"It's surprising then, that as many as 39 per cent treat the speed limits as a guide, rather than recognising that they are the absolute legal maximum limit," Ms Dore said.

"I'm concerned that the highest incidence of being caught speeding is among this group of young men."

"Crash investigation data shows that excessive or inappropriate speed is a factor in about a third of fatalities on our roads," Ms Dore said.

The research has been revealed as the TAC supports recruitment for one of the world's largest trials aiming to improve young people's attitudes to driving.

The P Drivers Project is a great opportunity for young drivers to improve their driving and potentially help save a mate.

It is available for young P plate drivers who have received their licence in the last 100 days.

If you know a P Driver who could take part, log on to www.pdriversproject.com.au.