Research study into the speed behaviour of long and short haul heavy vehicle drivers.

In 2005, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) commissioned AMR Interactive to conduct a speed knowledge, attitudes and self reported behaviour research study to identify the reasons why long and short haul heavy vehicle drivers’ speed, evaluate the role of enforcement and the types of measures that would influence the drivers to keep within the speed limits.
The qualitative stage included 10 face to face interviews and the quantitative stage included a telephone survey of 376 heavy vehicle drivers.
The highest risk groups identified were younger short haul, younger long haul and older long haul heavy vehicle drivers. About one in ten drivers reported having been booked for speeding in the last 12 months and similar proportions reported that they would be willing to drive more than 10 km/h over the limit while 15% stated they failed to stay within the speed limit in built up areas.
About a quarter of drivers reported experiencing some pressure to speed to meet deadlines. Drivers reported that on-road police enforcement would have the greatest impact on their attitudes and behaviour.
Possible countermeasure strategies include development of an education strategy addressing attitudes to speeding, situational triggers, planning trips and rest breaks, encouraging companies to develop and implement anti-speeding policies and increasing visible, unavoidable police enforcement.