Safety Cameras Expose Age Divide

• News
• Published: 05 Aug 2009 in Motoring and Car Insurance

Young drivers are much more supportive of safety cameras than experienced motorists, an Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) survey has revealed.

Drivers aged between 17-24, who are put on expensive car insurance premiums, had the largest approval ratings for the cameras whereas their counterparts over 45 had the lowest.

Neil Greig, Director of Research and Policy at the IAM, explained that younger motorists don't drive as frequently or as far as other drivers and they have less reason to dislike the cameras.

He said: "They have grown up in a surveillance society, which could explain why they show less objection to safety cameras - older people are more likely to resent being monitored in this way."

The report also revealed that women have a much more positive view of safety cameras than men, whose support has declined from 83% in 2002 to 66% this year.

Mr Greig said: "On average, women commit fewer traffic offences than men, so they may see cameras as less of a threat."