Motorists want a lot more traffic officers

25/6/14

By Bob Taylor

As several as 60% of motorists think there are not adequate police officers on the road to enforce driving laws, according to an RAC survey.

More than half (51%) of drivers consider it is unlikely that motorists will ever get picked up for texting whilst stopped in traffic.

And 40 per cent reckon they stand little likelihood of becoming stopped by police for aggressive driving, the poll of 1,526 drivers identified.

The investigation also showed that only 29% think drivers will get into trouble for texting on the move even though 42% think it is unlikely.

24% consider tailgaters will be pulled more than

For the new offences of tailgating and middle lane-hogging only 24% and 22% respectively believe motorists are most likely to be pulled up by a targeted traffic officer.

The only offences motorists believe are dealt with effectively are the ones that are enforced by means of cameras such as speeding and traffic light violations.

A total of 45% reckon drivers are likely to get caught for speeding, even though 46% consider those running red lights will get caught.

Of these motorists questioned who have speeding points on their licences, 49% stated they had been trapped by a speed camera, although only 24% have been caught by a police officer.

67% break 70mph motorway limit

The survey, the 26th annual poll of its type by the RAC, also showed that 34% are concerned about other drivers talking on hand-held mobile phones and 22% are worried about other motorists breaking traffic laws generally.

In addition, 75% of motorists reported often seeing other people speaking on mobile phones, with 44% saying they see this taking place throughout most of their vehicle journeys. Yet only 8% of drivers admit to making use of a hand-held phone on most journeys.

On speeding, around 40% admitted breaking the speed limit on non-motorway routes, even though as a lot of as 67% owned up to exceeding the 70mph limit on motorways. A total of 70% of drivers supported raising the motorway limit to 80mph.

Potholes had been a worry for 41% of motorists in this year’;s survey, compared with 36 per cent last year, whilst 47% place the expense of fuel as their primary motoring concern in spite of reductions in rates at the pumps of late.

31% worried young children could be distracted by smartphones

As a lot of as 69% reckoned kids have been as safe, if not safer, on the roads than when they have been young but 31% have been worried that youngsters could get distracted by smartphones whilst making use of roads.

4 in 5 motorists felt uncomfortable driving on icy roads, with practically all (96%) avoiding driving in the snow if at all feasible. Younger drivers had been far more concerned about driving in wintry circumstances than older ones.

RAC technical director David Bizley stated: “Our research shows that millions of law-abiding motorists are frustrated with the reduction of site visitors police and believe that the chances of drivers getting pulled up for breaking the law are now minimal.

“Motorists are tired of continually seeing other drivers breaking the law and getting away with it so it is hardly surprising that they want to see a greater police presence on our roads to enforce motoring legislation a lot more successfully, which would also act as a genuine deterrent.”

Motorists want a lot more traffic officers