Public attitudes toward speed safety camera enforcement and critical elements of support in British Columbia, Canada

Background This study aimed to determine the views of British Columbia (B.C.) residents on acceptance and wider adoption of automated speed enforcement (ASE) in their province and local communities. The specific objectives of this study were to determine 1) the proportion of B.C. residents who approve/disapprove of ASE; 2) the characteristics of people who approve/disapprove of ASE; and 3) the critical elements that would engender support for ASE. Methods A survey was developed and administration commissioned to a Canadian-based market research company in 2023. The survey was comprised of questions regarding demographic characteristics (including questions on age, education level, occupational status, household income, and residence community size); attitudes and behaviours reflecting traffic safety culture; attitudes toward ASE; attitudes toward 30 km/h default speed limits in residential areas; and driving characteristics. Results Of 2,104 B.C. residents participating in the survey, 53.1% approved or strongly approved of ASE. A majority of British Columbians in both the strong approver and approver groups for ASE indicated their agreement and increased support across all critical elements that engender support for ASE. The support statements which even strong ASE disapprovers favoured were a known grace allowance (e.g., 10 km/h over in a 100 km/h zone), visible signage, and camera locations being based on crash data. Conclusion This survey demonstrated a majority support for existing ASE in the province of B.C. and identified the programmatic elements that appear to be constructive in increasing the likelihood of expanding agreement and support amongst even those who disapprove of ASE most strongly.