Traffic violation detection and deterrence: implications for automatic policing

Current efforts directed at enforcing traffic laws are beset by a dilemma. On the one hand enforcement programmes are limited in duration and intensity, thereby producing weak halo effects on drivers' behaviour. On the other hand, public attitudes towards compliance are largely conditioned by the visibility of enforcement programmes. This paper reviews the impact of the semi-automatic monitoring systems in improving detection in traffic law programmes. The effects of the technology on drivers' behaviour are assessed and implications for the development of a fully automatic traffic policing system are teased out. Secondly, the paper attempts to put into perspective any consequences that an automatic monitoring system may have for driver behaviour. The fact that such systems do not yet exist poses problems for an ergonomics evaluation of their projected impact. However, taking into account the existence of core technology, tentative conclusions can be drawn as to the likely benefits and disadvantages of such systems.