NCJ Number
139622
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 65 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1992) Pages: 329-335
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
In 1991, the British Association of Chief Police Officers (A.C.P.O.) launched its fourth National Motorway Safety Campaign, aimed at changing dangerous highway driving behaviors by encouraging drivers to recognize their mistakes and stressing the personal risks taken and the potential consequences.
Abstract
The 1991 campaign identified several target behaviors: driving too fast, following too closely, hogging lanes, driving when tired, and leaving too little time for the intended journey. A.C.P.O. distributed standardized publicity materials at participating highway service areas, including a booklet on safe highway driving, a video, and display exhibitions. The effectiveness of the campaign was evaluated by distributing questionnaires to drivers utilizing four of the service areas. An analysis of questinnaire responses showed that while 41 percent of the drivers were aware of the campaign, there was a 26-percent decrease in impact from the 1988 campaign. Respondents learned of the campaign through service area exhibitions, TV, and radio. The survey focused on the respondents' recall of campaign themes, perceived effect of publicity and enforcement on driving, perceived effectiveness of different countermeasures, and perceptions of highway hazards. Objective measures of driver speed and following distance were taken at three of the four sites; there were no discernible effects on either measure as a result of the campaign or increased police enforcement. 1 figure and 4 tables