Use of manual speed alerting and cruise control devices by car drivers

A number of in-vehicle technologies have been developed that have significant potential to reduce the incidence and severity of speed-related crashes. Two of the most widely implemented of these are conventional cruise control and manual speed alerting devices. However, almost nothing is known about the extent to which drivers use these devices and whether they are effective in helping drivers reduce speeding. This study assessed the use, acceptability and effectiveness in reducing speeding of manual speed alerting and cruise control devices to a sample of drivers from the Australian state of New South Wales. Four focus groups were conducted; two in Sydney (metropolitan) and two in Wagga Wagga (rural), involving 31 drivers aged 25–49 years, who were either users or non-users of the devices. The participants held positive attitudes towards manual speed alerting and cruise control systems and felt that these devices are generally effective in helping them to control and maintain their speed. However, the rural participants use cruise control more regularly than metropolitan participants, while the metropolitan participants reported that they use their speed alerting system more than rural participants. Preliminary recommendations deriving from the research are made.