Seeing Speed Clearly: Relative Risk and Public Support for Automated Enforcement

Perceptions are often measured on unanchored scales, making it difficult to compare across individuals. I address this challenge by comparing how respondents rate speeding versus behaviors near universally regarded as dangerous. Results show that most respondents see speeding—especially on arterials—as much less dangerous than drunk or distracted driving. Correcting this misconception offers an opportunity to shift opinions on traffic cameras, which are effective but underutilized. A survey experiment reveals that a brief safety message increases support among those who initially underestimated the dangers of speed. Scholars should employ relative scales and practitioners should emphasize the risks of speed.