ShLOW - Show Me How Slow: Mobilising Evidence from Transport Research into Speed
Overview
Background & policy context:
Respecting the legal speed limits is the traffic rule most often overlooked by road users. Speeding remains a widespread phenomenon. The OECD estimates that at any one moment 50% of drivers exceed legal speed limits. Changing speed behaviour is therefore different from other road safety areas: it requires a majority of drivers to adopt a different way of driving, whereas compliance with BAC limits (Blood Alcohol Content) and seatbelt legislation requires only a minority of 'offenders' to change. This problem is set within a social context in which speeding is not yet considered as socially unacceptable as drink driving. The extent of the behavioural and social change needed illustrates the urgency.
Objectives:
The objectives of the ShLOW project were:
- To have dedicated students undertake speed management activities within their local surroundings in ten EU countries. These actions will help achieve significant reductions in excessive and illegal speeds across the EU's road network;
- To spread the know-how from transport research into speed management across Europe and train and encourage future road safety, transport, and environmental sector professionals to carry out effective speed management measures within their career;
- To help achieve two core EU targets: improving road safety and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Methodology:
Throughout the project, 50 students (from engineering to environmental sciences as well as other academic fields) were selected to receive training in speed management and run a small scale activity of their choice to demonstrate through concrete actions how speed reductions can be achieved.
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