In DR's Aftenshowet, Denmark's most famous police officer explains why speed checks actually make a difference in traffic.
Speed checks on Danish roads work. This is stated by traffic police officer Vlado Lentz, who was a guest on DR's Aftenshowet on Wednesday. Here he rejected the idea that speed checks are only about filling the state coffers.
"We are often told that these are just money machines, but we can see that it works," he said on the program.
"If there is intensive measurement, the speed will decrease – and the number of accidents will decrease."
The statement comes in the wake of a new survey from the Danish Road Safety Council, which shows that two out of three Danes support more speed controls in traffic.
The Great Belt Bridge is a clear example of the effect of speed control
According to Vlado Lentz, it is particularly clear speed controls with signs and surveillance over longer stretches that have an effect. He cites the Great Belt Bridge as a concrete example.
"I drove to Kolding yesterday and back today. Most people drive on the right and keep the speed limit of 110 kilometers per hour now. Previously, they were speeding past at a higher speed," he explained.
Here, it is the so-called distance measurement that keeps track of the average speed over a longer distance – and this is precisely what has caused many drivers to take their foot off the accelerator.
Flashing signs make people lighten their feet
However, speed enforcement does not always have to involve radar cars and speed bumps. According to behavioral researcher Pelle Guldborg, there are also other, more pedagogical methods that work.
"A cheap, easy and effective way to slow down is to put up speed signs that make you aware of how fast you are driving," he told DR.
"They catch a lot of speeding where people are inattentive. It flashes and shows a number – and the whole world can see that you are speeding."
He believes that part of the problem is that drivers simply don't realize how fast they are driving.
Classic excuses – and a very special one
When drivers are stopped for speeding, Vlado has heard all the excuses.
"People are inattentive and say to me: 'I haven't noticed what you're allowed to do here', or 'I don't usually drive here'," he told the Evening Show.
But one excuse stands out. He also shared it on the show – and it made both the hosts and the audience smile.
You can hear what the excuse was in the clip from the program at the link HERE!
However, according to Vlado Lentz, what most violations have in common is that they are rarely malicious. People just haven't been paying close enough attention.
"But that doesn't make it any less dangerous," said the officer, who has appeared in countless episodes of Police Chase and is a well-known voice in the Danish traffic safety debate.
