Attitudes around Road Safety

​National Travel Attitudes Survey 2019Organisation: Department for Transport
Date uploaded: 19th August 2020
Date published/launched: August 2020


The National Travel Attitudes Study (NTAS) canvasses public attitudes about road safety, aiming to provide a comparison with actual behaviour.

Among the issues raised by the survey are drink and drug driving, speeding, roads policing and mobile phone usage.

In total, 62% of respondents believe all use of mobiles behind the wheel, including hands-free, is dangerous – while just 6% agreed it was safe to talk on a hand-held device.

However, there are concerns over enforcement – with 76% saying mobile phone laws are not properly enforced.

In terms of driving under the influence, the survey highlights a support for a zero tolerance approach.

A strong majority (81%) believe a driver should not get behind the wheel if they have drunk any alcohol – while 96% state someone who has taken illegal drugs should not drive any distance.

More than six in 10 (61%) say they know how much alcohol they can drink before being over the legal drink-drive limit.

On speeding, the survey shows disparity between those who believe it is safe to speed on different types of road.

A total of 82% say it is not safe to travel even slightly over the speed limit on residential streets – compared to 39% on motorways.

More people believe speed cameras are there to save lives (59%) than to make money (41%).

Over half (59%) prefer average speed cameras to fixed speed cameras.

​You can find out all the results by following this link :