Survey Shows Road Safety Messages Slowly Getting Through
New Zealanders are gradually letting go of their misconceptions about risky driving behaviour, according to the latest
Land Transport Safety Authority survey of public attitudes to road safety.
Changes in attitudes since the introduction of targeted police enforcement and high-profile advertising campaigns in
1995 include a higher perceived risk of being caught drink-driving, greater recognition of speed as a road safety risk
and higher reported use of safety belts.
The long-held belief by some that speed isn't dangerous is steadily losing currency. Eighteen percent of those
responding to the 2001 survey thought they were unlikely to crash when speeding if they were careful, down from 24
percent in 1995.
Recognition of the risks associated with drink-driving has also increased, with just seven percent of respondents to the
2001 survey believing a drink-driving crash was unlikely if they were careful, down from 13 percent in 1995.
But in spite of the gradual improvements, Director of Land Transport Safety David Wright said the survey shows that the
speeding culture remains strong in New Zealand, and too many people are still willing to get behind the wheel after
drinking.
"There are some puzzling contradictions - over 75 percent of people agree that speed enforcement and compulsory
breath-testing help to reduce the road toll, yet almost 40 percent say they enjoy driving fast on the open road and 25
percent admit they've driven while intoxicated. 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 safety belt use over previous years. Only six percent of those
surveyed said they often or always drove without a safety belt on short trips, down from 10 percent in 1998 and 17
percent in 1995. Only one percent said they seldom wore a safety belt on the open road, down from 10 percent in 1995.
The survey revealed broad support for the LTSA's road safety advertising – 51 percent want it maintained at current
levels while 43 percent think the amount of advertising should be increased - only five percent thought there should be
less road safety advertising.
The 2001 survey of public attitudes to road safety is the latest in a series that began in 1974. Surveys have been
conducted annually since 1994. The surveys evaluate New Zealanders' attitudes to road safety issues, primarily
drink-driving and speed.
Face-to-face interviews with respondents representative of the New Zealand population aged 15 and over are conducted in
towns, cities and rural areas throughout the country in May and June of each year. In 2001, interviews were conducted
with 1,645 people, 1,428 of whom held drivers' licences.
Full details of the survey can be found on the LTSA website: www.ltsa.govt.nz