New research from Staffordshire University suggests that rewording letters sent to individuals caught speeding could help to drive behavioural change. The study, funded by The Road Safety Trust, explored the effectiveness of outcome letters sent to drivers detected speeding through Community Speed Watch (CSW) initiatives.
The findings, based on survey responses from 785 drivers and CSW speed data, indicate that receiving a CSW letter can positively influence driver intentions. Participants reported significantly lower intentions to speed in the six months following receipt of a letter compared to the previous six months. Among those intending to reduce their speed, 80% attributed this decision to their experience with CSW, with almost a quarter stating it was the sole reason for changing their behaviour.
Dr Leanne Savigar-Shaw, Associate Professor in Policing at Staffordshire University, led the study. Participants identified factual information about people killed or seriously injured (KSI) in road collisions, alongside details of potential future enforcement action, as the most persuasive elements of the letters. However, the research also highlighted that drivers had limited knowledge of how the CSW scheme operates in relation to police forces and volunteer training.
Analysis of CSW speed data presented a mixed picture, with some schemes showing reductions in speeding vehicles after letter wording changes, while others showed no change or even increases. This suggests that changing letter wording alone does not consistently lead to lower speeds. Dr Savigar-Shaw noted that while the research is an important first step, more investigation is needed into the short-term and long-term impact of letter wording.
Encouraging evidence emerged that repeated engagement with CSW may influence behaviour, with one police force area recording lower speeds among repeat offenders at their second detection. Drivers also expressed support for CSW as an alternative to more formal enforcement. However, inconsistencies in scheme operation across different police force areas, particularly regarding the inclusion of recorded speed, affected perceptions of legitimacy and made it easier for some recipients to question the accuracy of the intervention.
The research recommends that CSW outcome letters be viewed as behavioural interventions. Suggestions for letter content include using police branding for legitimacy, including the driver's recorded speed and offence details, explaining the partnership between police and trained volunteers, offering response opportunities, highlighting risks of speeding, and emphasising the benefits of safe driving. The report also calls for greater consistency in data collection for improved future evaluation.
Dr Savigar-Shaw added: “CSW letters are experienced as a point of interaction between police forces and drivers, with the potential to impact drivers’ perceptions of the police and relationships with the law. It is imperative that they are developed with the intention to improve those relationships.” The findings reinforce the importance of combining evidence-based behavioural interventions with consistent national practice to maximise CSW's contribution to road safety.
Ruth Purdie OBE, Chief Executive of The Road Safety Trust, stated that CSW can be an important tool for roads policing, serving as both a deterrence and an educational resource. She thanked the volunteers and encouraged police forces to review the findings to enhance their CSW letters and influence driver behaviour.
