Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said the VicRoads study was the first in the world to examine if Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) devices would improve the speed behaviour of a group of repeat speeders.
Mr Mulder explained that VicRoads conducted two trials; one involving repeat speeders attending a behaviour-change discussion group, and the other used technology to warn drivers they were speeding. Researchers from the Monash University Accident Research Centre independently evaluated the trials. Mr Mulder added that participants with an ISA device fitted to their cars spent 40 per cent less time speeding than the group of drivers without the device
“The research team at Monash University Accident Research Centre estimated that repeat speeders using an ISA device can result in a 12 per cent reduction in the casualty crash risk across all speed zones.” Mr Mulder commented.
“At the time of the trial my daughters were 11 and 12 years old. The device did slow my driving, and made me realise that we pass a lot of our bad habits onto our children, and my driving behaviour needed to change. My oldest daughter will get her learners next year and I hope she never speeds.” trial participant, Amanda Toohey said.
“Even more promising, the research team has estimated that if all repeat speeders were to use the ISA devices continuously, we could prevent 180 casualty crashes over five years,” Mr Mulder said.