Drivers More Afraid of Fines Rather Than Death

Deliberately breaking the speed limits is not quite the smartest thing to do when jumping behind the wheel of the car but even so, most drivers do it. But what are drivers actually thinking while speeding? According to a survey conducted by Dr. Judy Fleiter from Queensland University of Technology's Center for Accident and Road Safety Research, most drivers are worried that they could be fined and not because they could get hurt after breaking the limit.

What's interesting is that most drivers are pretty well informed before driving on public roads, so fixed camera locations are known by most of us. This way, drivers are slowing down when approaching a camera, the study said according to a drive.com.au report.

"They are calculating, or really miscalculating the risk of speeding," Dr Fleiter said in a statement. "Their biggest fear is getting caught, and many believe that they 'know' how to evade detection. But the problem with drivers taking a calculated risk, is that they are calculating the risk of getting caught and not the risk of getting hurt."

Asked how they drive in a 100 km/h (60 mph) area, some drivers admitted they are sometimes going as far as 145 km/h (90 mph), while others revealed that they usually prefer to stay on the safe side, so they cruise with around 60 km/h (37 mph).

"Some drivers reported the perception that they could survive a road crash at speed but that their passengers may not," she said. "There seemed to be a lack of understanding that at high speeds, many road crashes are not survivable, no matter who is driving, how skilled that driver may be, and how good the vehicle is they are driving."