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THE SPEEDING DRIVER: WHO, HOW AND WHY?
MALE 49 YEARS
A.116 How long have you been driving?
I passed my test when I was about 18, so that would be 28 years or something.
A.117 Have you had any breaks from driving?
No, not at all.
A.118 Do you do a lot of driving?
Yes, I do. I've done various types of driving. I 'm actually a mechanic to trade. I've driven PSV vehicles - and at the moment I'm a vehicle examiner with Lothian Transport. So I do about 40,000 a year. So I'm doing a fair bit of driving.
A.119 What car do you drive? (Engine size?)
At the moment I've got a Renault Megane - turbo diesel. It's 1.9.
A.120 What is your car like to drive?
It's a nice car to drive. Yes, I like it. Not particularly powerful because it's a diesel obviously, you know, but it's just fine for me.
A.121 Do you ever feel that your car pulls you along? Do you always feel you're in control?
Yeah, oh definitely [in control of car]
A.122 Have you ever had a car the pulled you along?
Oh years ago, yes, when I was young - past that stage now.
A.123 How does your driving fit in with your job? Do you drive to and from work?
I drive to and from work every day. I don't drive as part of my work. It's just that I work in Edinburgh, so it's a fair bit of mileage. The only driving I do at my work is test-driving.
A.124 Do you think that you could manage without a car? Why?
No, definitely not. It would be nigh on impossible to get to my work with public transport.
A.125 When you drive, are you generally alone?
Yes.
A.126 In what circumstances do you carry passengers?
Basically it's just family. If we're going out in the evening usually either myself drives or my wife drives. Very occasionally we use taxis - public transport, we just never use public transport at all. You know, if we're doing a shopping expedition to Glasgow or Edinburgh we possibly leave the car at Stirling and take a train in because I find it's murder to park. That's the only time I would use public transport.
A.127 Do you drive differently when you have passengers? How? Why?
I think there's more distractions when you've got someone in the car with you because you know you're chatting back and forward so you're not really - I don't think you're as focused on your driving. I think I concentrate more on my own.
A.128 How does the weather affect your driving?
Well, I drive in all conditions really, you know. Icy conditions or if it's raining heavy or roads are wet and greasy especially after a long dry spell, I'm more aware of greasy patches on the roads but I do drive in all conditions.
A.129 What do you like about driving?
I just like the convenience of driving, you know. Sometimes, you know, I go through Edinburgh, it can be a bit monotonous at times because nowadays the thing I hate most about driving is, you know you get people cutting you up, you know, doing silly things on the road - and that really annoys me something terrible but generally speaking I do like driving.
A.130 What makes you feel good when you're driving? (When do you feel good about driving?)
I would say, people that are courteous on the roads, you know, just, you know, letting you out of a junction if there's heavy traffic and the cars are flying past and nobody's going to let you out and somebody does - it makes you feel good.
A.131 What do you dislike about driving?
Roadworks.
A.132 Are there some kinds of drivers/vehicles that annoy you?
Yes, heavy trucks. For instance I used to work from Coatbridge so I used to go up the A8 quite a lot and the amount of times that lorries - you know, I can understand it because I've driven heavies myself, but for the government to have 60 mile an hour so they keep the revs up on their engines. They don't want the revs to die down so what they do is they pull and overtake - and they keep it past another heavy vehicle which is doing the same speed basically and, you know, it just takes ages to pass and I feel that there's - they don't give you any warning. They just come straight out. I think that's a big danger on the road. I mean, I'm aware that they're going to do it as well you know but there's a lot of people don't realise that.
A.133 Who are the worst drivers on the road?
White van drivers. They're always in a hurry to get to where they're going. Normally they're parcel carrying or something like that. So postal vans that type of thing. I think they're very bad. I feel the Royal Mail's really terrible and I see a lot of it, especially going into Edinburgh because I go past the HQ in Edinburgh and that's really terrible. I feel they go far too fast.
A.134 How do you feel when someone is driving too close behind you? What do you do?
I feel it's intimidating - what I try to do, I try to slow down. I don't try to get away from them - what I try to do is leave enough room in front so that if I've got to brake in a hurry I've got enough room to do that. I do find it intimidating. And again, it's usually people in a hurry, like white van drivers - that type of thing. Trucks can be bad as well, you know - they're always in a hurry to get to wherever they're going. It's just everybody's under pressure these days.
A.135 Do you ever feel under time pressure when you're driving?
Yes, well when I was a bus driver - keeping to times and heavy congestion on the roads, that type of thing. It's very stressful. Now, going to work I always give myself plenty of time as well. If I've got a meeting on anywhere, I always make sure I leave in plenty of time - especially if you go to someplace like Edinburgh or Glasgow where you know the traffic can be quite bad.
A.136 Do you ever feel under any other pressure when you are driving on the road?
Not really, like I say I quite enjoy driving. Now there are times on the road where, you know, something really silly happens - people cutting up on roundabouts, you know, in the wrong lanes basically. They know where they're going but they're in a hurry to get there so they cut you up. They're used to the roads and people coming in that are strangers possibly - I think that's where there's an awful lot of conflict you know.
A.137 Have you ever gone out in the car 'to calm down' after being upset/angry?
No, I don't. I don't find driving relaxing, so if I was uptight or anything like that I wouldn't go out for a drive to calm down. I'd rather go for a walk with the dog or something like that.
A.138 Please look at picture 1 (Motorway) and Picture 2 (Country Road).
Imagine that you're making progress in free-flowing traffic on these roads.
What speed would you normally drive on the motorway? What speed would you normally drive on the country road?
On the motorway - 70. Now I'm going to be honest and say that I don't always stick to 70 - sometimes my speed can creep up but I'm never above 80. You know, I just - sometimes my speed does creep up but normally on the other roads, the country roads, where the speed limit is normally 60 again it's the type of road you're on. For instance, when there's a bend coming up on the road the speed would be reduced to possibly 50 or even less than that, you know, depending on the amount of traffic that's there.
A.139 What speed would you prefer to drive on the motorway?
Motorway, I feel it should be a bit higher because I mean, I normally stay at 70 and the amount of people, there's very few people you know sticking to the speed limit and I think possible 80 is a wee bit more realistic because you know there's very few accidents happen on motorways you know. I think the biggest cause of accidents on the motorway is caused by somebody going too slow and that's my feeling anyway.
A.140 What speed would you prefer to drive on the country road?
I would say 50. You know I don't think - I think, country roads you've got, well especially round here, a lot of people do horse-riding (I do horse-riding myself), you get a lot of cyclists as well - that type of thing - and I feel sometimes 60 can be a bit too fast.
A.141 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the motorway?
I check my speedometer quite regular. It depends, you know, I'm quite aware of speeding and the speed cameras - so I'm always aware. In fact I'm actually training to become a driving instructor just now - so that's another reason that I try to stick to, try to do the right thing all the time. I always check the instruments in my car - you know when you're looking at these sorts of things, you're looking at the speedo all the time as well. So I would say - also traffic conditions round about you can make me aware of the speed as well. But you know in terms of how often I do it - possibly as often as I look in my mirrors - because if I'm looking in my mirrors, I'll glance down and because I'm aware of people, the speed their doing, coming up behind me. So fairly frequently - say 20/30 times. I mean I can't really say for sure, I'm always looking in my mirrors and round about so you know I'm not just looking straight ahead all the time. Yes, every few seconds.
A.142 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the country road?
More often than on the motorway - I would say so yes.
A.143 What goes through your head when you come across a speed camera?
I look at my speedometer and make sure I'm doing the right speed. It makes you aware of speed - definitely.
A.144 What action do you take?
Slow down if I need to - I feel, as well, that speed is obviously a danger - but also going too slow is a danger so I try to keep to the speed limit when I can - obviously road conditions dictate that. Where possible - I try to keep to the speed limit.
A.145 Do you think that speed cameras make the roads safer?
Yes - without a doubt. I think there should be more of them actually - I really do.
A.146 Some local authorities have introduced traffic calming measures to slow drivers down - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
No - in some cases yes. For instance here, there's a 'Twenty's Plenty' which I think is adequate. But some calming things make you weave in and out - and I don't think that's very safe, especially in built-up areas where you've got children. Okay, it makes you stop if someone is coming the opposite way and a lot of the time people just fly straight over the top of them - you know, like with speed humps. They can actually position the wheels so that they're not really going over the humps - and not really slowing down either - people that have no regard for the car either. Some kids see them as obstacle courses to fly in and out - great fun.
A.147 Some local authorities have introduced 20mph zones - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
I can see it about here all the time - very few people obey. Probably people with children are more aware of children and stick to the speed limit. Generally speaking, I don't think that many people do. I think that they don't think it's a legal requirement - I'm not even sure if it is. I think it's advisory.
A.148 Are you ever unsure about the speed limit on roads that you drive?
No, I'm fairly good when it comes to knowing how fast I should be going. I'm saying that because I'm training just now but I think a lot of people don't know what the speed limit is. If you ask somebody what the speed limit was on a dual carriageway or a narrow road - I don't think that they'd know. For instance, my son, he passed his driving test a year ago and I always argued the case that a speed limit is a limit - it's not telling you that you have to stick to 60 or stick to 30. He was always being told by his driving instructor that you've got to keep making progress and keep the speed up. But, I said, you've got to stick to the conditions - if you're driving through a busy town and you drive at thirty, you've got to slow down.
A.149 Could you tell me a little about the accident(s) that you've had while driving? Was it a typical day for you - or were the circumstances unusual that day? What would you say was the cause of the accident? How did the accident affect you personally? How did the accident affect your driving?
I was involved in 2 accidents in the last three years. Both accidents happened on normal working days. The first one I had - I was just waiting to turn right. It was Saturday morning and I think she must have been dreaming - cause I saw her in my mirror coming up towards me and there wasn't a thing I could have done just sitting waiting to turn right. She never even braked - she ploughed straight into the back of me - it's like I wasn't there. The car was a total write-off. The other one was a woman, believe it or not, this was at 4.30 in the morning and she had three kids in the back of her car as well. And she was coming out from an industrial estate and I was coming along the main road, and she came straight out in front of me. Again there was not a thing I could do about it. I was traumatised - three children in the car and my main concern was for them. My first car an Audi and I loved the car but I didn't blow up - I was quite calm about it.
The accidents affected my driving - even when she (wife) was driving it made me quite nervous about things that were happening round about - that we bit jumpy. Even yet, I'm still wary of people coming up my back. That's another reason that I slow down now - when people are tailgating me, I realise that that's what I do - I slow down so that I've more room to make a stop or whatever.
A.150 Publicity
Shock tactics work - there's been a few on television late at night which were quite hard-hitting and I think that really gets to you - makes you think about it, you know.
A.151 Mobile phones
I try to pull up - or I don't answer it. I think that using a phone while you're driving is dangerous - I've seen some things on the road - it's frightening.
FEMALE 19 YEARS
A.152 How long have you been driving?
I've been driving for three years now.
A.153 Have you had any breaks from driving?
No.
A.154 Do you do a lot of driving?
I drive mainly every day - maybe only small amounts. Maybe 3-5 k a year.
A.155 What car do you drive? (Engine size?)
Volkswagen Polo - P registration. 1.4.
A.156 What is your car like to drive?
It's quite a heavy car - it's quite fast.
A.157 Do you ever feel that your car pulls you along? Do you always feel you're in control?
No, no. It's fine - that's the only car I've ever driven. I now my dad's as well which is a Volvo 1.8 engine. At first I noticed the difference because it's a much larger car - but now it's fine, it's just getting used to it.
A.158 How does your driving fit in with your job? Do you drive to and from work?
(To work) I usually get public transport - if I'm working later on at night then I'll take the car. But usually it's public transport during the day and if it's a nighttime shift then I will take the car - but it only takes about 15 minutes. (To university) it's mainly public transport - maybe the odd day I'll get the car during the week, maybe one day a week.
A.159 Do you think that you could manage without a car? Why?
Yes. It does take longer obviously.
A.160 When you drive, are you generally alone?
It's kind of 50/50.
A.161 In what circumstances do you carry passengers?
Sometimes I may have taken someone somewhere with my mum or my brother or I'm going somewhere by myself to meet people. It's probably half the time I'm by myself and half the time maybe I'm with people.
A.162 Do you drive differently when you have passengers? How? Why?
I would say if it's an older passenger - I would say that's why. But not normally no - maybe a wee bit more conscious because they are older. Probably drive more slowly with an older passenger. Sometimes (with a bunch of girls) going to the cinema - I wouldn't say that really changed my driving. (With guys) just the same.
A.163 How does the weather affect your driving?
If it is obviously bad weather, you do tend to think you should be more careful, and that you should really slow down a bit - take into consideration what it's like outside. Cold and wet - that's the worst.
A.164 What do you like about driving?
It's so handy and it's so good to have. (At night) I wouldn't like to walk home. You can go so many more places.
A.165 What makes you feel good when you're driving? (When do you feel good about driving?)
You've got the control - you can decide where to go. It's a lot more easier to drive on a motorway because it is just straight. Roads here, they're fine as well - a lot of traffic lights as well now which is all stop and starting but I like all roads.
A.166 What do you dislike about driving?
Cost of petrol! I don't like sometimes the amount of traffic lights and things - there's pedestrian lights and then traffic lights - that can be quite off-putting. You go through one but the other one isn't changing - things like that.
A.167 Are there some kinds of drivers/vehicles that annoy you?
No. I think now with the bus lanes and things - that maybe helps. But I wouldn't say there was anything - maybe worries me when I see cyclists sometimes because it's such small roads and a wee bit worrying.
A.168 Who are the worst drivers on the road?
I don't know - I wouldn't know how to classify that. I think it probably depends on the individual.
A.169 How do you feel when someone is driving too close behind you? What do you do?
It does slightly irritate me because there's no need for it. I'd just slow down.
A.170 Do you ever feel under time pressure when you're driving?
To get somewhere - yes. I think I would maybe be looking more and trying to maybe think, oh no I need to get there - but I don't think I would go any faster or anything. No I think you're more maybe conscious of the lights changing and things - and trying to get through. But if they change, they change - there's nothing you can do.
A.171 Do you ever feel under any other pressure when you are driving on the road?
No - it's quite a lot though when you're in road works and you kind of sit there for ages. But I don't know if that would apply any pressure. There's not really a lot of pressure when you're driving a car - you just have to conscientious of what's around you. When people maybe do silly things and you can be affected by that - I don't like that. I wouldn't say there was anything that I would get really really angry about.
A.172 Have you ever gone out in the car 'to calm down' after being upset/angry?
No - I just go in my room!
A.173 Please look at Picture 1 (Motorway) and Picture 2 (Country Road).
Imagine that you're making progress in free-flowing traffic on these roads.
What speed would you normally drive on the motorway?
Probably about 50.
A.174 What speed would you normally drive on the country road?
Probably between about 40 and 50 if the speed limit obviously permitted it. On country roads that I've been on it tends to be the national speed limit which is 60 mph.
A.175 What speed would you prefer to drive on the motorway?
Sometimes if it's quieter, you maybe would like to go faster maybe 60-65 - but safety. (On a motorway where it's always 70 - not urban motorway) you'd probably keep up with the traffic - about 60 to 70.
A.176 What speed would you prefer to drive on the country road?
It's just depends - obviously there's corners and things and you have to be careful.
A.177 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the motorway?
I think you probably look at it - it's a kind of unconscious thing. Probably every, maybe, 5 or 10 minutes because you can feel what speed the car is at - I think you can just tell.
A.178 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the country road?
Check more often on the country road of because it's probably got more to it - it's smaller, there's more to driving it I think.
A.179 What goes through your head when you come across a speed camera?
To check your speed - making sure that it is at the right speed and if you are above it - then slow down obviously, realise that it's there.
A.180 What action do you take?
I probably drive along about between 30 and 35, so if I was at 35 I would definitely slow down. Once past the camera - probably creep back up to 35 normal driving speed.
A.181 Some local authorities have introduced traffic calming measures to slow drivers down - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
Yes - round about schools. I think it makes people think - think again about checking what they're doing, their speed.
A.182 Some local authorities have introduced 20mph zones - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
A.183 Yes - I think it makes you check again what speed you're at and maybe realise more that you've got to think about what's around you. (Would slow to 20) obviously it's for a purpose - that's why it's there. Not everybody would - you see people who don't. You probably would need traffic calming to make it more effective.
A.184 Are you ever unsure about the speed limit on roads that you drive?
Sometimes signage is quite bad that you don't know - there isn't a sign.
A.185 Could you tell me a little about the accident(s) that you've had while driving. Was it a typical day for you - or were the circumstances unusual that day? What would you say was the cause of the accident? How did the accident affect you personally? How did the accident affect your driving?
It was just about maybe a few months after I passed my test - reversing out of our street which is very small and I hadn't aligned myself properly and that's what happened. It was just after I passed my test and I was trying to reverse and I just hadn't practised enough and I reversed into the parked car. I was not hurt - just a bit of a shock. Not nice. That had been 3 months after I just passed my test so I think I did lose confidence a bit - but I'm fine now.
A.186 Publicity
I think the ones they've got on just now are very thought provoking. But there will always be a certain extent of younger people who really don't think - don't realise. The one's they have just now - the thinking ones and they discuss about going faster and why you should slow down - they're quite effective. (Blood and guts) I think it maybe does hit home what the effects are if you drive that fast. I think it depends on the person - what's really going to really have an effect - everyone's different and there's certain things that really do - some people may think about more than others. I think that adverts which show what a driver can do to other people work best.
A.187 Mobile phones
If my mobile goes and my mum's there - she'll answer it. (On my own) I would stop. I don't know how they can do it and have actual control of the car.
FEMALE 20 YEARS
A.188 How long have you been driving?
Two years in August.
A.189 Have you had any breaks from driving?
No.
A.190 Do you do a lot of driving?
Just about the average - about 8 to 10 thousand a year - because of my job. I'm a student nurse - I'm out and about over Lanarkshire so I use my car as well.
A.191 What car do you drive? (Engine size?)
It's a Fiat Punto - quite a small car 1.1 engine.
A.192 What is your car like to drive?
Very good on the fuel aspect! It gets me from A to B that's all I'm looking for.
A.193 Do you ever feel that your car pulls you along? Do you always feel you're in control?
No - I'm the driver, I drive the car.
A.194 How does your driving fit in with your job? Do you drive to and from work?
Drive to and from work - and as part of my job. I always plan and leave and judge my times properly - so as I don't have to, as you say, put the foot down.
A.195 Do you think that you could manage without a car? Why?
I would like to say, yes I would be able to - but I think you get used to driving about. You say, well I need to go here - you jump in the car and it gets you there. Whereas you've got to think, I've got to take half an hour for the bus journey, half an hour back - that's an hour out your day. A car is part of the requirement for my job - you need to be able to get from A to B rather quickly sometimes out in the district. (Personal safety) I'd rather be travelling in my car with my mobile than travelling on a bus with my mobile. You feel a lot safer.
A.196 When you drive, are you generally alone?
Yes mostly on my own.
A.197 In what circumstances do you carry passengers?
I sometimes take my little cousin - she's five - to her dancing or to her swimming lessons. Other than that it's just my younger sister who's 17 - driving her to school, things like that.
A.198 Do you drive differently when you have passengers? How? Why?
Out with the girls - we do sing along, but I'm still watching my speedometer. With the wee one in the car - I crawl. I normally stick to the speed limit as I can - maybe going down a hill I'm at 32 so I just put on my brakes going down the hill. But I don't even go over 30 when I've got the wee one in the car. I'm frightened that I have an accident and she's in the car because I've had one before - a slight bump due to black ice. And I'm always conscious about that now so, especially when I've got the wee one in the car, I'm more careful.
A.199 How does the weather affect your driving?
Well I learned to drive in the winter weather so the summer weather's extremely nice for me! I'm that used to - it was round about August/November time the first set of driving lessons I had and it was through the snow, the hail and the rain. It was an advantage certainly. I'm always cautious to the weather - just braking distances things like that.
A.200 What do you like about driving?
The freedom - being able to get in the car and even go away round the lochs and just sit, get out and go for a walk. Or being able to get into town without having to wait on trains and missing trains and just the freedom it gives you.
A.201 What do you dislike about driving?
Other ignorant drivers - hate them. Hate them - detest them. I know I'm prepared and I'm safe - but it's when other people are unprepared, they're going too fast, they brake and end up hitting you and things like that. I just don't have time for other drivers who are not safe or prepared when they're driving. I end up losing my rag at them - I just end up slapping my hands on the wheel and go, oh you are so stupid, you shouldn't even be driving. Things like that - it just doesn't get me that angry. It's when people nearly cut out right in front of you when you know you've got right of way - and they look at you like, I've got right of way. And I'm going, no you've not, no you've not - away and read your manual! But other than that.
A.202 Are there some kinds of drivers/vehicles that annoy you?
Lorries, cause they think they own the road - because they're bigger than the rest of the cars, they feel - well I feel as if they own the road. Taxis, taxis think they rule the roost - really they are only cars. And, I know I'm going to hate myself for saying it, young guys in sports cars think, I'm going to press my accelerator, give you a fright with my big exhaust. It makes me go slower. It makes me think, no I'm sticking -you're not making me go any faster.
A.203 Who are the worst drivers on the road?
Young guys - with their new cars. They race a lot - I still see them. They play their music too loud and they race - cause accidents.
A.204 How do you feel when someone is driving too close behind you? What do you do?
I always check my speedometer to make sure whether I'm maybe doing something slower - why are they behind me. And I just stay at that. And you can see them looking at you going, come on - go a wee bit faster. I don't satisfy them - I just stay at my own speed. If they want to overtake me and put themselves at risk then let them overtake me. But it annoys me.
A.205 Do you ever feel under time pressure when you're driving?
It's maybe once or twice that I've maybe been a couple of minutes late for a job interview - but, other than that, no. Only the one instance when I had to go over to the college to apply for my nursing - and I was a wee bit late. I think I went something like 32 - that was it - that's the most I've ever done. People laugh at me, what's the most you've ever done over the speed limit - I'm like 2 mph.
A.206 Do you ever feel under any other pressure when you are driving on the road?
Just people trying to get by me all the time - thinking, oh she's just a woman driver, typical woman driver. You can see their faces - even when you're driving along and you kind of glance in your mirror and you kind of go, there's a male behind me - he'll want past me.
A.207 Have you ever gone out in the car 'to calm down' after being upset/angry?
Yes. I have - and I've only accelerated away fast. It's just accelerating up to 30 mph and that's me - I don't ever, no matter what kind of mood I'm in. If I'm a wee bit angry or a wee bit peed off then all I do is rev my accelerator - it's only doing my car harm, just revving off and going up into 4 th gear and staying at 30 mph. Even if it's just along to the end of the road (to local country park) just till I let off steam - it's definitely an advantage because walking I don't think I'd let off as much steam. Whereas driving you're using your other senses to like calm yourself down - you've got your concentration on the road and everything about you, and it just sort of calms you down.
A.208 Please look at picture 1 (Motorway) and Picture 2 (Country Road).
Imagine that you're making progress in free-flowing traffic on these roads.
What speed would you normally drive on the motorway?
70.
A.209 What speed would you normally drive on the country road?
If it's the maximum speed - 50.
A.210 What speed would you prefer to drive on the motorway?
I think 70 is round about right for the motorways. Some people don't even stick to it anyway and they're just doing whatever they can. Certain parts of the motorway, the M8, they're lower than 70. Sometimes at those parts, I don't think they should be lower. I think they should just try to keep them at 70 all over.
A.211 What speed would you prefer to drive on the country road?
You can only really do the speed limit that you can do yourself on those roads - if you know them like the back of your hand, maybe you'd be able to do them at 50. If it was a road that I didn't know, then I'd obviously be going down to about 40, 30.
A.212 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the motorway?
I look at mine quite often. Although I look about - I'd say every 3 or 4 minutes I look at my speedometer because I'm looking at all my mirrors, I'm checking people behind me and then I glance at my speedometer - make sure that I'm not going over. And then I'll just cruise a wee bit. I'll look at my mirrors again and I'll look at my speedometer. If you're looking at other cars, your foot automatically goes down and you don't realise - and the next minute your looking going, I'm at 80 mph here.
A.213 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the country road?
I'd say less often (than on the motorway) because there's not the traffic either side of you and you're obviously trying to watch the country road - I'd hope.
A.214 What goes through your head when you come across a speed camera?
To check my speedometer - just to make sure that I'm not over the speed limit, I won't get a photograph taken!
A.215 What action do you take?
(If over speed limit) automatically slow down.
A.216 Do you think that speed cameras make the roads safer?
Yes and no. I think the chicanes that they've brought out now definitely do. But some people look at it and go, well there's not a camera in that speed one - we're not going to slow down. Whereas, the chicanes you've got to weave in and weave out and give way. People slow down for the camera and then speed up - I've seen it before. But me, I stick to the one speed all the time - it keeps me right.
A.217 Some local authorities have introduced traffic calming measures to slow drivers down - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
It is a good idea. Not so much the speed bumps, it's more the chicanes ones. Because most drivers can get away with not going over the speed bumps - because most of my friends, I know, have had their cars lowered. So they can't go over it - so they wouldn't be able to get in to the place. Whereas (locally) has got the chicanes and the speed bumps - and my friend can't get into there by that way - he's got to go all the way round to get in. But the chicanes - they're good because it's like wee islands and you've got to give way - and that definitely slows people down. That's a good idea.
A.218 Some local authorities have introduced 20mph zones - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
Yes and no. Sometimes you can do 20 mph - and other times the only way you can do is 30. It's good for having it about where the schools are because people are more likely to slow down if it's near schools. Most people don't do 20 mph on our street - I've seen people coming along here at 50 to be honest with you. I would tend to drive it at 30 - unless the kids were on the street. People think - this is a main road, buses come up and down this way, why should this be 20 mph when it's a main road?
A.219 Are you ever unsure about the speed limit on roads that you drive?
Yes. (Local road) it's 60 and stops at 40 and all of a sudden you're supposed to be at 30 - there's no clear sign to say what the speed limit is. It's going into a dual carriageway and most dual carriageways are 40. A few people have had accidents there.
A.210 Could you tell me a little about the accident(s) that you've had while driving? Was it a typical day for you - or were the circumstances unusual that day? What would you say was the cause of the accident? How did the accident affect you personally? How did the accident affect your driving?
It was just a normal day, going to my placement. I was asked to go and get a prescription up in (local town) - so I went up and that chemist was shut and I had to go up further into (town). On the turning back, just a straight road down, stopping and starting - peak traffic going down towards (local area). Mercedes in front of me put his brake light on, so I automatically put mine on. I was only going about 5 to 10 miles an hour and my brakes didn't work. So I put my hands out, 'Ahh!' - just slid straight into the back of him. Turns out it was on black ice and I mangled the whole front of my car and he just got a scratch on his bumper. I damaged my knee - contacted the police but I drove my car down to where I should have been. Chapped the door and says, come and have a look at my car. He came out and says, oh my God. So I had to go straight to hospital but - it was very frightening - but everything was fine in my car - my brakes, you name it, and then all of a sudden my car didn't work. Just myself in the car - it was about two weeks I had to take off (work). It still gets a wee bit sore now and then but. (Accident at work) they sent me home. (Forms for accident at work?) No. Definitely made me more careful. I brake long before I should brake - just to make sure that my car stops in time and plenty of people behind me know that I'm stopping. I'm a more careful driver - I feel more conscious that when I'm in a car I've got to act in a certain way. (After the accident) I went straight into driving straight away - I don't think I'd be able to drive now if it hadn't been for that.
A.211 Publicity
I think guys would more associate with the funny kind of things whereas females would associate more with the blood and guts kind of things and think, oh my God I don't ever want to see - let's try to remember it that way. Adverts about what happens to other people are more effective for both males and females.
A.212 Mobile phones
Only use if stationary - in a car park. I've got a hands-free kit I use in the car. I don't see how people can hold the phone and turn the steering wheel. I agree it should be against the law.
FEMALE 36 YEARS
A.213 How long have you been driving?
17 and a half years.
A.217 Have you had any breaks from driving?
I've driven all the time, yes.
A.215 Do you do a lot of driving?
Yes. 10 to 12 thousand miles a year.
A.216 What car do you drive? (Engine size?)
1992 Rover - 414sli. 1.4.
A.217 What is your car like to drive? Nippy?
It's no bad.
A.218 Do you ever feel that your car pulls you along? Do you always feel you're in control?
I'm always in charge of the car.
A.219 How does your driving fit in with your job? Do you drive to and from work?
Drive to and from work - it's about 16 miles there and 16 miles back. I've also got a part-time job that I drive to - it's just along the road.
A.220 Do you think that you could manage without a car? Why?
I could - but it would be difficult for me doing nightshifts having to get trains and stuff like that to Glasgow.
A.221 When you drive, are you generally alone?
Yes.
A.222 In what circumstances do you carry passengers?
Just when I'm taking my family out for their messages - or my nieces out for the day. Just going somewhere with the kids.
A.223 Do you drive differently when you have passengers? How? Why?
Yes - much more cautious with the kids in. If I'm stupid enough to kill myself - that's up to me. But the kids have no choice in the matter so you have to be more careful - their lives.
A.224 How does the weather affect your driving?
I drive more carefully in the wet weather and the slippy weather.
A.225 What do you like about driving?
It's peaceful - except when you run into idiots. It kind of calms you down a wee bit, I think - except when you hit the traffic
A.226 What makes you feel good when you're driving? (When do you feel good about driving?)
A nice quiet stretch of road. Getting out there and doing it.
A.227 What do you dislike about driving?
Stupid drivers - people who've got road rage, people who are on mobile phones when they're driving - that's about it.
A.228 Are there some kinds of drivers/vehicles that annoy you?
None in particular. It's the drivers - no the vehicles.
A.229 Who are the worst drivers on the road?
Half and half - because if you stick up for women drivers sure as fate - if something happens and it's a woman driver! Young ones seem to get the blame of it - but I've seen quite a few older people that I think should hand their licences in and retire - doing stupid things. No, I think at any age - it depends on the person.
A.230 How do you feel when someone is driving too close behind you? What do you do?
A bit wary - I keep putting my foot on the brake or put my hazard lights on to warn them back a bit. I wouldn't go any faster - I wouldn't be pushed faster.
A.231 Do you ever feel under time pressure when you're driving?
I used to when I first started my job - I felt as if I had to be there no matter what, but now I don't bother - they'll get me when I get there. Or I'll end up getting there in a box which isn't much good to them.
A.232 Do you ever feel under any other pressure when you are driving on the road?
Sometimes when you're in the outside lane, you get people that are racing right up the back of you and you've got to kind of move over - that pressurises me. If you don't move, they'll just knock you right off the road basically. They do about 100 mph or something - you can see them coming up in your rear-view mirror, and you're like that - they're going far too fast for where I'm going, I'll cut in.
A.233 Have you ever gone out in the car 'to calm down' after being upset/angry?
No - I've driven to somewhere quiet but I wouldn't actually drive when I'd been in a fight because I don't think you've got your full concentration when you've been narking with somebody - you're not concentrating on the road - you could be involved in an accident.
A.234 Please look at picture 1 (Motorway) and Picture 2 (Country Road).
Imagine that you're making progress in free-flowing traffic on these roads.
What speed would you normally drive on the motorway?
About 75, 70/75.
A.235 What speed would you normally drive on the country road?
If I knew the road, about 60 - if I didn't, probably between 50 and 60.
A.236 What speed would you prefer to drive on the motorway?
I think the speed's OK. I think if you put the speed up to 80, people would just speed another 10 mph. A lot of people can't sit at the speed limit - they've got to sit above it. I think they would just - instead of doing - it they were supposed to be doing 70, they'd do 80 - instead of 80, they'd do 90 - so I think they would probably speed up - cause they'd say, I was only 10 miles over the speed limit.
A.237 What speed would you prefer to drive on the country road?
If there's a windy country road they should maybe have the speed down a wee bit or have warning signs.
A.238 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the motorway?
Couple of times a minute. Hard to tell - it's not something I really think about when I'm driving.
A.239 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the country road?
Less than on the motorway - there tends to be more traffic on the motorway, you don't always have the same opportunity if something happens in front of you to move out the road of it.
A.240 What goes through your head when you come across a speed camera? What action do you take?
Slow down till you're past it - I usually do about 35 to 40.
A.241 Do you think that speed cameras make the roads safer?
I think they do a wee bit - but only up till people get past it, and then they'll speed up as soon as they know they're out of range, just do it again. The new things seem to be a good idea - the cat's eyes things that they're supposed to be bringing in - the things where it actually monitors the speed on - I don't know if it's the motorways or the roads - I don't know if you've heard of it - you can't tell where it is but it actually monitors your speed when you're coming up to it and it can clock what you're doing right away. It's a better idea - 1) you can't see it and 2) you're already on it by the time you've realised. So I think that would work better. If it's on the cats eyes they're not going to be able to tell exactly what bit of the motorway it's on. I don't think they should know.
A.242 Some local authorities have introduced traffic calming measures to slow drivers down - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
I think the ones with the pavements jutting out work better than the ones with the sleeping policemen - 'cause a lot of the sleeping policeman ones are just like wee tiny bumps and they don't need to slow down. They're actually just going right over them at the same as you would normally, so I think the traffic, the pavement, ones work better.
A.243 Some local authorities have introduced 20mph zones - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
No. I think only if there's a policeman round about. I think it's just like the normal speed limits - they'll do it if there's somebody there to make sure they do it but as soon as somebody else is away they'll just speed. [If near school?] I think it depends on the person that was driving. It there's schools, I usually slow down - with me having the school down there (although I would quite like to run over some of them from down there!). But yes, schools - it would slow them down, but it wouldn't slow everybody down cause, like teenagers 17/18, they're no caring if a kid gets in the road till they actually hit it. It'll never happen to them, so I don't think it applies to everybody.
A.244 Are you ever unsure about the speed limit on roads that you drive?
Yes. There's (local road) - it's a single road, it's got the black circle with the white line through it, I think - and I'm not sure if that's 60 or 70 - cause I'm not sure if the national speed limit is 60 or 70. Cause your national speed limit is 70 on the motorway so it could be any one of the two. I think it would be easier if they put the actual speed - I don't see the difference between putting 60 on a board and putting them circle things up. If people get stopped then they can't say, well I thought it was 70.
A.245 Could you tell me a little about the accident(s) that you've had while driving? Was it a typical day for you - or were the circumstances unusual that day? What would you say was the cause of the accident? How did the accident affect you personally? How did the accident affect your driving?
The first one was down at the church down there. There was a new pedestrian crossing being built - and I was sitting at the pedestrian crossing waiting on a woman and a little boy to cross. This man didn't notice that the crossing had been built because the pillar things weren't up and he slammed into the back of me. But luckily enough I'd seen him coming - I had my foot on the brake, if not I'd probably have run into the woman on the crossing. But he just kept apologising - but he obviously wasn't watching what he was doing. But he says because the poles weren't there, the wee flashing things, he didn't think it was operative. I says well the lines are there, so it obviously is operative. Luckily he wasn't going too fast - it was at a roundabout, so that's probably how I got away with it that time. Then a few weeks later I was involved in an accident on the motorway - between the M74 slip road and the M8. One of the roads was cordoned off - it's a big bend. The outside lane was cordoned off, so everybody was sitting stationery in the inside lane. But the lady behind me hadn't actually noticed that we'd stopped - and she just slammed right in to the back of me. And she admitted liability, she said she was doing other things - she wasn't watching what she was doing. I goes - I was glad it wasn't intentional. The second accident I had slight whiplash - I had to go to the hospital in the morning. They just gave me painkillers - said it would be a couple of days, but it was about two and a half weeks. My car was written off - the damage to it was more than what the car was worth. I'd been hit twice in that one - so I was kind of going off that one then! The accidents made me more wary when people are coming up behind me - maybe that's why I hit the brakes (in the second accident). Cause I never know when they're going to actually stop. Cause they can be coming up behind you and stop at the last minute - only the last two didn't actually stop. So, yes, it's made me a bit more wary - when I stop I tend to keep more room in front of me. I'm no up the back of anybody's bumper or anything - you never know when they're going to stop.
A.246 Publicity
The ones which involve kids - where kids are getting badly hurt and you get loads of bodies all over the place. A lot of these adverts don't affect anybody, they just don't care. Their attitude is it's never going to happen to them - it'll happen to everyone else, it'll never happen to me. That's their attitude - yes, it does, it affects me. I keep thinking about it. You see them with the billboards - it does affect me.
A.247 Mobile phones
I don't take [the mobile phone] out in the car. Mobile for the kitchen and the living room - and that's it.
FEMALE 49 YEARS
A.248 How long have you been driving?
About 14 years.
A.249 Have you had any breaks from driving?
No.
A.250 Do you do a lot of driving?
Yes, I drive every day. I mean I probably drive locally mostly, but when I'm painting - doing a commission - I'll drive to Edinburgh and back, or the Borders or something like that.
A.251 What car do you drive? (Engine size?)
It's a Vauxhall - it's an Astra. 1.6
A.252 Do you ever feel that your car pulls you along? Do you always feel you're in control?
No, in fact I notice it's not particularly fast going up hills - it's not a fast car and never feels like a fast car. It's just a work machine.
A.253 How does your driving fit in with your job? Do you drive to and from work?
I take my husband into work so I'm doing that - I go into the city centre every day.
A.254 Do you think that you could manage without a car? Why?
When it has to go into the garage, or it breaks down, I have to do without it - but I find it difficult. [Local area] is an area where even just going to the shops, you really could do with a car. I wouldn't be able to do my own work without a car - I'm carrying paintings and an easel - I can hardly shove that on my back and go! So it's really really vital for work.
A.255 When you drive, are you generally alone?
Yes - because I drop him (husband) off in the morning and then I have the car for the day. I obviously have things I do - domestic stuff.
A.256 In what circumstances do you carry passengers?
Commuter run. I've got a friend who doesn't drive because of eyesight so if I was taking her somewhere, yes I do pick her up.
A.257 Do you drive differently when you have passengers? How? Why?
I think I probably - I would talk to them in a reassuring way. You would never do anything sudden - I'm not a fast driver anyway. We've just been to the south of France on holiday - I never drive over 70 anyway, I don't, that's my maximum. You can drive 80 there - I wasn't driving, my husband was driving, but I would never drive at that. They have two speeds there - one for dry weather and one for rain - you've got to reduce by 20 km for rain. You are aware of how fast they drive - ridiculously fast. And they tailgate - I've never seen anything like it. It makes you come back and realise, how actually the British are much better drivers. They are better-mannered.
A.258 How does the weather affect your driving?
Well, it really slows me down, I know it does. Because you get the splash back, your visibility and everything - especially on a motorway.
A.259 What do you like about driving?
It gives me an independence from this house because I would really have to do a lot of walking. I didn't actually learn to drive till I'd had my children. I marched around with prams and I did that for a long time so I really appreciate the car. I should have done it earlier - I started when I was 21, but then I was at Art School and I didn't have the time and I stopped. I should have kept it going then. I think my Mum's generation - a lot of them didn't learn to drive. My mother never did - her two sisters did but they live in out-of-way places. One's a farmer and you really cannot be a farmer's wife in the middle of nowhere, not able to drive. My mother never has - but then she reckons we only had one car and my dad had it, so why would she bother. Living here, there's a lot of elderly people in cars and you see them driving down the road very slowly.
A.260 What makes you feel good when you're driving? (When do you feel good about driving?)
It's nice to be in the car on a sunny day because you feel you're out and that all around you it's nice. Maybe you'll have the window open and it just feels pleasant.
A.261 What do you dislike about driving?
Well, obviously it's other drivers - unpleasant drivers, driving up close behind you - things like that, I don't like that.
A.262 Are there some kinds of drivers/vehicles that annoy you?
I wouldn't say one more than the other. I do find, being a woman, people are much better. Like taxi drivers will always allow you to go out if you're stuck up the side of a street and you can't get out - they might not do that to men, but they certainly do that to women. So I can't even say - the dreaded taxi drivers! Or even buses pull out - but they're going so slow, I'm not really bothered. It's more, if you're on the motorway and you have some young lad, usually, who wants to overtake. (Local road) the other day and there was a young boy behind me and he just decided he was going to overtake me and there was a Jaguar coming the other way - and I thought this is it. And it was just impatience and I just thought - but he did and then he sat quite far back from me, he got such a shock. But he was in a hurry - it's that sort of driver that I'm more aware of.
A.263 Who are the worst drivers on the road?
I'd say men drive too fast - and, therefore, are dangerous in that way. Women are slower and maybe not decisive in what they do. But then if they're going to bump into someone, then it's much slower - and it's more liable to be in a Safeway car park, reversing with a load of kids in the back. So I would say that probably women are safer for that reason.
A.264 How do you feel when someone is driving too close behind you? What do you do?
I don't like it - I really don't like it. In France, it was really bad. They have a technique, and it's national, they come up right behind you to overtake, and then they cut in sharp - it's really odd. Here you'll get one or two people doing that. Because they can't see past you - they're not far enough behind you to see that the road is clear and, therefore, it's a much more dangerous set-up. I really don't like that - because then you are involved because they suddenly have to get in quick and you've got a car coming towards you - and you're somewhere in the middle! I'd rather press my brake very slightly just to indicate - I wouldn't speed up because of that. Nothing is gained (if you go faster) because they'll just move up faster with you and then if something does happen - you're even less liable to be able to do something about it. So, I wouldn't speed up, no.
A.265 Do you ever feel under time pressure when you're driving?
I'm somebody who is always on time. But then I like to leave a lot of time. I can't say it happens very often - I'm the sort of person who is there half an hour early. If I'm going to meet somebody for the first time - I like to leave a lot of time to find where I'm going. And I've got the day -it's not a big issue.
A.266 Do you ever feel under any other pressure when you are driving on the road?
Well only if somebody is sitting on the back of me being unpleasant - that would bother anyone. But it's a matter of not being riled by it - not letting it affect you.
A.267 Have you ever gone out in the car 'to calm down' after being upset/angry?
Oh no, I wouldn't do that. I wouldn't find that a solution at all. I think that would be a very bad idea actually. I think a good march would be better there rather than a good drive.
A.268 Please look at Picture 1 (Motorway) and Picture 2 (Country Road).
Imagine that you're making progress in free-flowing traffic on these roads.
What speed would you normally drive on the motorway?
That one would be between 60 and 70. 70 would be the tops. 60-65 - probably I'd average about 65.
A.269 What speed would you normally drive on the country road?
Well, probably between 40 and 50.
A.270 What speed would you prefer to drive on the motorway?
Well as I say, I don't drive over 70 so I don't have a problem with the 70 limit. So it doesn't make any difference to me.
A.271 What speed would you prefer to drive on the country road?
I know the limit is 60, but I don't honestly think - the thing about a country road like this is that you've got bends, you've got tractors, you've got all sorts of things - and if you don't know the road. I know a lot of people who live in the country - and you get to know a road and you bomb along, don't you. But if you don't know a country road - you don't know what's round the bend. And to be driving at 60 round a bend in a country road is fast - so I can't honestly say I'd do it.
A.272 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the motorway?
I don't know. You see I'm always in the inside lane - but it probably, I might look at it - I might see someone flying by and think, gosh I'm going at 70, if I was going at the maximum, what speed at they going at flying past me. I do actually look at my speedometer and I'm aware of looking at it - and I'm aware of the passenger looking at speedometers as well. I do - but to say how often per minute - but probably if you were on a motorway and going at a steady pace and you're in the inside lane and you're aware of your speed and you can tell whether you've increased it or not - you're going at a set pace, there's a sound and you're aware that you're going - the car sound changes, at least ours does. Our car if you start to go up from 70 - there's a much stronger sound. So in a way you're listening to the car as well - and the sound change makes you aware you've increased your speed. To a certain degree, that's the way - I would be listening, I'm always listening to the sound of the car. And I know the speed.
A.273 How often would you glance at your speedometer on the country road?
I think on a country road I would definitely be reducing my speed. As I say, I don't like this feeling of not knowing what's round the corner. I suppose I like to drive knowing that I can stop.
A.274 What goes through your head when you come across a speed camera?
Well I was thinking about that yesterday as well, because I pass quite a lot and I think they work. And I think they work even if they've got a spool taking it or not. We all are driving along there at 30 mph - and I just thought, this works. What it's meant to do is slow you down - it's not really there to make money, to catch people out. To slow you down, that's its first job - and they do that.
A.275 What action do you take?
Check speed.
A.276 Do you think that speed cameras make the roads safer?
Yes - I don't mind them.
A.277 Some local authorities have introduced traffic calming measures to slow drivers down - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
(Speed bumps) I don't like them - and I don't know a lot of people who do like them. I find them - in fact I was with a taxi driver who actually had had to change his car because it was catching the end of them - some of them are actually too high. They've been installed and they're damaging people's cars. I don't know about that. No, I don't like them.
A.278 Some local authorities have introduced 20mph zones - do you think that this is a good idea? Do you think that they work?
Well yes - I've now noticed where they are. It's in those really built-up bits where maybe it is awkward and I think most people probably are driving at 20 mph in those areas. It's not a problem - I think that's a good idea. It's what people do because of the awkwardness - the tightness of the cars. (Where the road is wide, it wouldn't work - problems of young drivers using local roads for racing.)
A.279 Are you ever unsure about the speed limit on roads that you drive?
I wouldn't think so. Most places are marked.
A.280 Could you tell me a little about the accident(s) that you've had while driving. Was it a typical day for you - or were the circumstances unusual that day? What would you say was the cause of the accident? How did the accident affect you personally? How did the accident affect your driving?
I was driving along and a young man in a van, he just didn't stop - the lines were there, but he didn't stop. It was at night - and the trouble with the roads there is they sometimes think that from the park, you go straight up without stopping but you can't. These roads they are all Give Way. I think, as I say, it was at night - I think he had just being doing a job at a house or something like that - and just went straight through. I was on my own. I was doing about 30 - the trouble with the roads is there's not a lot of time to see somebody coming out. He hit me and then his car continued and then hit a wall. That takes quite a lot of momentum. So, there's a house there, you don't see him coming up, and then just coming through. You only see him for the few seconds between the end of the garden - you see him for the width of the pavement. I had a bit of whiplash, that was all. (The other driver) was injured - he hit a wall. So I actually stopped going along that road and stuck to the main road because I knew that the markings were all there. Nobody was going to ignore coming on to a main road. Well it obviously made me more cautious - I stopped going that way - and was aware of that type of road. Sometimes I'll go right up to the very top and go along that way, because I know again a lot of the roads aren't straight through so the person's going to come up and have to stop. I'm sure it probably does make you more cautious - you don't take it for granted people are going to stop.
A.281 Publicity
I think probably television has the most impact because it's got a bigger audience and, I suppose, it's more graphic. And it's in motion - it has a reality to it, rather than just a poster. I don't think you need to have the blood and guts - we can fill that bit in ourselves. But we can still shock people in other ways - and by making their own imagination work for them. You don't want children to be frightened but you can advertise in a way that maybe it's totally above a child's head but the parents or the young person understands completely. I think you have to shock when it comes to the road - because it is a shock, it's a shocking thing.
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