Speed culture 'undermines road-safety messages'

Date: 15/9/2010

Television programmes such as Top Gear undermine the efforts of road-safety campaigners in educating young people about the dangers of speeding, it has been claimed.

In an article for the Guardian, Christian Wolmar stated speed has become the focus of most road safety campaigns in recent years.

However, efforts to educate motorists are "constantly undermined" by factors such as Top Gear, car advertisements and sport stars' fast cars, he explained.

Mr Wolmar condemned the ironic 'Speed Kills' message displayed on Top Gear after presenter Richard Hammond recovered from an almost-fatal car crash in 2006.

"With that type of culture to contend with, educators have a tough task in persuading young people of the dangers of driving too fast," he remarked.

Road-safety campaigners argue the most effective way to combat excessive speed is through education schemes, Mr Wolmar added.

Earlier this week, research conducted by insurance firm Admiral found 87 per cent of UK road users have admitted to breaking speed limits.

Posted by Mary Treen