ERIE, Pa., Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent
survey commissioned by Erie Insurance finds that half of U.S.
drivers support the use of speed cameras while more than a third
oppose them – but many opponents would change their minds under
certain conditions.
Speed cameras and red light cameras – also known as photo
enforcement – are expected to gain more attention as the nation's
new infrastructure law is implemented. Under the $1.2 trillion landmark legislation, states will
be able to use federal grant funds for speed camera programs in
work zones, in addition to school zones which was already
permitted. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, speeding is a contributing factor in one-quarter to
one-third of all U.S. traffic deaths.
The Erie Insurance survey found one in every 10 drivers (11%)
admitted to driving at extreme speeds (20 mph or more over the
speed limit) during the early months of the pandemic, a problem
which many safety advocates say continues despite a return to near
pre-pandemic traffic volumes.
The survey found that half of drivers (49%) support speed
cameras while 35% oppose them. It also discovered that nearly 60%
of drivers who do not support or are neutral about speed cameras
would support their installation on roads with a documented
speeding or crash problem and on roads used frequently by
pedestrians and bicycles.
"As a company that sees tragic consequences of speeding, Erie
Insurance commissioned this survey to draw attention to the fact
that speeding is a huge problem, but it's within our collective
power to solve it," said Jon Bloom,
vice president of personal auto, Erie Insurance. "Many lives could
be saved if more drivers would simply follow the speed
limit."
The survey also found that:
- 54% of U.S. drivers believe speed cameras are an effective way
to get people to obey speed limits, while 23% disagree with
this.
- Nearly half (46%) of drivers disagree that speed cameras
violate people's privacy, while one-third feel they do (33%).
- More than half of drivers (53%) think speed cameras are more
about raising revenue for governments than about improving traffic
safety, although 23% disagree with this.
- The majority of people (61%) think drivers who are photographed
speeding should get a ticket only if they're going more than 10 mph
over the speed limit.
According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety, approximately 170 U.S. communities currently use speed
cameras, and automated enforcement legislation is pending in 15
states. Speed cameras may become more prevalent with implementation
of the new infrastructure law.
Interest in photo enforcement may also increase pending the
results of a pilot program launched by national safety groups to
evaluate how a combination of education, engineering and equitable
enforcement can reduce speeding.
"A properly constructed photo enforcement program is a proven
effective tool to significantly reduce speeding and crashes, making
the roads safer for everyone who uses them," said IIHS Vice
President for Research Jessica
Cicchino. "It's an equitable and consistent way to enforce
speed limits 24/7. Safety groups have developed an automated
enforcement checklist to help communities implement programs
successfully."
To see additional results from the Erie Insurance survey on
speeding, visit erieinsurance.com/blog/speeding-survey.
Methodology
The survey was conducted online by Falls
& Co. on behalf of Erie Insurance, from August 22 through September 2, 2021, among 500
U.S. licensed drivers ages 18 and older. Falls & Co.
established the sampling quotas, designed the questionnaire,
tabulated the survey responses, and managed the overall project.
Falls & Co. used Dynata (Plano,
TX) to administer the survey via the internet, including
mobile devices, to Dynata's captive U.S. panels who met the age,
gender, and regional demographic
criteria.
About Erie Insurance
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in
Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 12th
largest homeowners insurer, 13th largest automobile insurer and
13th largest commercial lines insurer in the United States based on direct premiums
written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a Fortune 500 company
and the 16th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net
premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, ERIE has more than 6 million policies in force
and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more
information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Insurance Group