Why do we notify controls in the first place?

This thinking stems from a natural spinal reflex: if drivers know where the controls are, they will adjust their speed only in that specific area and drive faster otherwise. But research and experience show otherwise. In fact, alert services like Safedrive have a proven positive effect on road safety.

Our alert service is not about "tricking the system" to drive fast. On the contrary, it's about increasing awareness that checks can occur anywhere, anytime. This increased awareness creates what researchers call "detection risk". When drivers perceive a higher risk of being caught speeding, they change their behavior. This is a well-known principle in road safety research.

According to research cited in the TS handbook, visible controls have the greatest effect on traffic in the vicinity of the checkpoint, but the knowledge that there may be a control, even far away from the checkpoint, also has a major impact on driver behavior. Small changes in the perceived risk of being caught can significantly reduce speeding. Ryeng (2012) found that a high subjective risk of detection is more effective in reducing speed than high fine rates. This agrees well with our own experience.

For example, research by Elvik (2015) shows that a 25% increase in detection risk reduces the lowest speed violations by 8.5% and the highest by as much as 10.5%. These figures show how great an effect enforcement alerts can have on driver behavior, even outside the direct field of view of the enforcement.

Safedrive's own customer survey from 2024 supports these findings. With 42,502 respondents - a solid sample - we can say with great certainty that control alerting has a positive impact on our users:

• 67% say they become more aware of their own speed and behavior
• 79% interested in sharing their driving profile to be rewarded with customer benefits
• 85% believe they are likely to have avoided accidents due to alerting

Interestingly, the survey shows that only 3% of users acquired the service in order to drive faster. And of those who had previously received a speeding ticket, 84% said they were unaware of their own speed when it happened. After using Safedrive, the proportion of speeding drivers has been reduced by 51%. This clearly shows that the alert service has a preventive effect.

The emergency services have previously claimed that notification services undermine the purpose of the checks. "Our service extends the reach and duration of every checkpoint. Drivers become aware that stops can be anywhere, and they adapt their behavior over longer distances.

Research backs this up: Elvik (2010) and Summala et al (1980) have both shown that even small changes in detection risk can lead to significant reductions in speeding. This is not about the actual amount of enforcement, but about drivers' subjective perception of the risk of being caught.

Although some may believe that control alert has unfortunate consequences, feedback from our customers shows that this technology contributes positively to road safety. This is also supported by the relevant research we have referred to in this article.

Control alerts provide a higher risk of detection, leading to positive driver behavior and increased road safety. Instead of opposing this technology, we should embrace its potential to positively influence drivers. Checkpoint alerts are about raising awareness of speed limits and road hazards - not about encouraging irresponsible driving. This is a socially beneficial contribution that makes the roads safer for everyone.

Control alerts don't lead to higher speeds, but to increased road safety. Services like Safedrive change how drivers relate to traffic rules. It's about the perceived risk of detection and the psychological mechanisms that underlie driver behavior.

The greater the certainty of control, the more careful we are - for the benefit of all road users.