[Spanish drivers' beliefs about speed. Speeding is a major issue of road safety]. / Creencias de los conductores españoles sobre la velocidad.

Extending and updating our knowledge concerning drivers' motivational and cognitive processes is of essential importance if we are to apply policies with long-lasting effects. This study presents data from a representative national survey analyzing the Spanish drivers' beliefs about speed, the risks of speeding, the degree of violation of speed-limits and the reasons for speeding. Results indicate that Spanish drivers rate speeding as a serious offence, yet not among the most dangerous ones. All in all, they claim to comply mostly with the speed limits. However, some interesting violation patterns emerge: observance is lower for generic speed limits according to road type (vs. specific limits shown by certain road signs), and particularly in motorways (vs. single carriageways and urban areas). Risk perception and reasons for speeding emerge as the main factors predicting the levels of speed violations reported. Results suggest that any effective intervention strategy should consider such factors, namely the link between speed, road safety, and drivers' specific reasons for speeding.

Creencias de los conductores españoles sobre la velocidad / Spanish drivers’ beliefs about speed. Speeding is a major issue of road safety

La prevención de los accidentes por exceso de velocidad es de gran importancia en seguridad vial. Para lograr entender el fenómeno y aplicar políticas con efectos sostenidos en el tiempo es necesario conocer los aspectos motivacionales y los procesos cognitivos del conductor. A partir de los datos de una encuesta representativa a nivel nacional, este estudio analiza las creencias de los conductores españoles sobre la velocidad, la peligrosidad de los excesos, el grado de incumplimiento de los límites y los motivos para superarlos. Según los datos obtenidos, los conductores españoles perciben que los excesos de velocidad son una infracción importante pero menos peligrosa que otras causas de siniestralidad. En general, los conductores dicen cumplir los límites. Sin embargo, el incumplimiento presenta características de gran interés, como, por ejemplo, el menor respeto de los límites genéricos que los específicos y también el mayor incumplimiento en autovía y autopista. La percepción de la peligrosidad y la motivación para exceder la velocidad permiten predecir en parte el grado de respeto de la normativa. Por ello, las estrategias de intervención deben tener en cuenta estos factores, sobre todo los motivos concretos que aparecen especialmente relacionados con el grado de incumplimiento (AU)

Extending and updating our knowledge concerning drivers’ motivational and cognitive processes is of essential importance if we are to apply policies with long-lasting effects. This study presents data from a representative national survey analyzing the Spanish drivers’ beliefs about speed, the risks of speeding, the degree of violation of speed-limits and the reasons for speeding. Results indicate that Spanish drivers rate speeding as a serious offence, yet not among the most dangerous ones. All in all, they claim to comply mostly with the speed limits. However, some interesting violation patterns emerge: observance is lower for generic speed limits according to road type (vs. specific limits shown by certain road signs), and particularly in motorways (vs. single carriageways and urban areas). Risk perception and reasons for speeding emerge as the main factors predicting the levels of speed violations reported. Results suggest that any effective intervention strategy should consider such factors, namely the link between speed, road safety, and drivers’ specific reasons for speeding (AU)

Valoración de los conductores españoles sobre el permiso por puntos / Spanish drivers’ valuation of the penalty point system

Un aspecto de especial importancia para el buen funcionamiento del permiso por puntos es que los conductores comprendan adecuadamente su filosofía y sus objetivos. Si el sistema es valorado como una medida eficaz y socialmente beneficiosa, es probable que el cambio comportamental de los conductores sea más intenso y más duradero. Por el contrario, si es percibido como una medida meramente recaudadora, difícilmente podrá alcanzar y mantener sus objetivos. Este estudio analiza, a partir de una encuesta telefónica realizada a nivel nacional sobre 2.014 participantes, la valoración que hacen los conductores del modelo español de permiso por puntos. Los resultados muestran que los conductores hacen una valoración muy positiva y tienen para el sistema unas altas expectativas de éxito. Además, por encima de una visión meramente sancionadora o recaudadora, los conductores afirman que la finalidad primordial del permiso por puntos es concienciar y mejorar la seguridad vial (AU)

A key issue for the good performance of the penalty point system is that drivers achieve a proper understanding of its philosophy and objectives. If this enforcement system is valuated as an effective and socially beneficial measure, there is a higher probability that drivers will show a stronger and permanent change. On the contrary, if the penalty point system is perceived as a tax-collecting measure, it would be very difficult for its principal aims to be achieved. From a national telephone survey conducted on a sample of 2.014 respondents, the present study analyses drivers’ appraisal of the Spanish penalty point system. The results show that drivers’ evaluation of the system is very positive and also that they have high expectations for its success. Moreover, beyond a mere repressive or tax-collecting view of the penalty point system, drivers state that its main goal is to increase awareness and improve road safety (AU)

[Spanish drivers' valuation of the penalty point system]. / Valoración de los conductores españoles sobre el permiso por puntos.

A key issue for the good performance of the penalty point system is that drivers achieve a proper understanding of its philosophy and objectives. If this enforcement system is valuated as an effective and socially beneficial measure, there is a higher probability that drivers will show a stronger and permanent change. On the contrary, if the penalty point system is perceived as a tax-collecting measure, it would be very difficult for its principal aims to be achieved. From a national telephone survey conducted on a sample of 2.014 respondents, the present study analyses drivers' appraisal of the Spanish penalty point system. The results show that drivers' evaluation of the system is very positive and also that they have high expectations for its success. Moreover, beyond a mere repressive or tax-collecting view of the penalty point system, drivers state that its main goal is to increase awareness and improve road safety.

[Influence of the penalty point system on driving behaviour: drivers' point of view]. / Influencia del permiso de conducción por puntos en el comportamiento al volante: percepción de los conductores.

On July 1, 2006 a penalty point system was introduced in Spain. One year later, a reduction of 14.3% was observed in road traffic casualties, whilst the previous year that figure was 4.9%. A national telephone survey was conducted on a sample of 2.014 respondents to explore the drivers' point of view about the influence of the penalty point system on driving behaviour. Results point to a moderate behavioural change, mainly in relation to speeding and mobile phone misuse, this change being slightly more intense in drivers who were fined during the previous year. Awareness of road traffic accidents increased in around 40% of drivers. Lastly, mobility loss stands out as the most worrying and presumably most influential consequence of driving license loss.

Influencia del permiso de conducción por puntos en el comportamiento al volante: percepción de los conductores / Influence of the penalty point system on driving behaviour: Drivers’ point of view

El primer año de vida del sistema de permiso y licencia de conducción por puntos en España se cerró con una reducción del 14,3% en el número de víctimas mortales, mientras que en el período equivalente anterior la reducción apenas había sido del 4,9%. A partir de una encuesta telefónica a nivel nacional sobre un total de 2.014 personas, se analiza la percepción que tienen los propios conductores sobre la influencia de este sistema en su comportamiento al volante. Los resultados indican un cambio moderado, principalmente en cuanto a los excesos de velocidad y al uso inadecuado del teléfono móvil, resultando este cambio algo más intenso en los conductores infractores (multados durante el año anterior). Aproximadamente un 40% de los conductores afirma estar más concienciado hacia los accidentes de tráfico. Finalmente, la pérdida de movilidad destaca como la consecuencia de la pérdida del permiso de conducir que más preocupa a los conductores y que, por tanto, más ha podido influir en su comportamiento

On July 1, 2006 a penalty point system was introduced in Spain. One year later, a reduction of 14.3% was observed in road traffic casualties, whilst the previous year that figure was 4.9%. A national telephone survey was conducted on a sample of 2.014 respondents to explore the drivers’ point of view about the influence of the penalty point system on driving behaviour. Results point to a moderate behavioural change, mainly in relation to speeding and mobile phone misuse, this change being slightly more intense in drivers who were fined during the previous year. Awareness of road traffic accidents increased in around 40% of drivers. Lastly, mobility loss stands out as the most worrying and presumably most influential consequence of driving license loss