The influence of the elements of procedural justice and speed camera enforcement on young novice driver self-reported speeding

• This study applies the four elements of procedural justice: voice, neutrality, respect and trustworthiness.
• The neutrality of the speed camera is associated with lower levels of young novice drivers speeding.
• It may be possible to influence driver behaviour using only some elements of procedural justice.

Road policing is an important tool used to modify road user behaviour. While other theories, such as deterrence theory, are significant in road policing, there may be a role for using procedural justice as a framework to improve outcomes in common police citizen interactions such as traffic law enforcement. This study, using a sample of 237 young novice drivers, considered how the four elements of procedural justice (voice, neutrality, respect and trustworthiness) were perceived in relation to two forms of speed enforcement: point-to-point (or average) speed and mobile speed cameras. Only neutrality was related to both speed camera types suggesting that it may be possible to influence behaviour by emphasising one or more elements, rather than using all components of procedural justice. This study is important as it indicates that including at least some elements of procedural justice in more automated policing encounters can encourage citizen compliance.