Road Safety

Speeding Has Its Limits

According to the most recent SAAQ surveys and statistics:

• most Québec drivers are aware of and accept speed limits;  
• over 80% of drivers think it is important to urge road users to slow down in 50 km/h zones;  
• nearly 70% of drivers think it is important to urge road users to slow down in 90 km/h zones;
• motorists are increasingly aware of the speed they are driving;
• many motorists report that SAAQ awareness campaigns make them think.  

Recent SAAQ and Ministère des Transports du Québec statistics regarding driver behaviour and compliance with speed limits, however, reveal the following:

• most drivers do not obey speed limits;
• more than 1 out of every 2 individuals drives faster than the posted speed limit in urban areas, where 50% of road accident injuries occur;
• an estimated two out of every three individuals drive over the speed limit on main roads, despite the fact that nearly 40% of traffic fatalities occur on roads with a 90 km/h speed limit;
• eight out of ten individuals drive over the speed limit on intercity highways;  
• 95% of drivers believe that they travel at safe speeds;  
• many motorists believe that “other drivers” are to blame for the speeding problem.

According to a SARTRE 2 report (Social Attitudes to Road Traffic Risk in Europe) entitled The attitude and behaviour of European car drivers to road safety, motorists usually do not make the connection between speeding and dangerous driving when they examine their own behaviour. Nevertheless, they consider it dangerous when others speed.

In light of these results, it is interesting to note that in Québec and elsewhere, many motorists believe that speed limits serve merely as a guide. Many fail to take them seriously and speed, and believe the real hazard is the speed of other drivers.

Remember, obeying speed limits is in everyone's interest.

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