MOTORISTS see speed as the primary cause of road accidents. The RAC Report on Motoring 2002 also claims that "most drivers' break the speed limits on the UK's roads - even if they reluctant to admit to be responsible for speeding in their own cars.

When questioned for the report, 45 per cent of motorists cited driving too fast as the main cause of road accidents, relegating drink-driving to third on the list at just nine per cent. In the 1994 RAC Report drink-driving was top of the list.

The majority of drivers (71 per cent) believe that "most motorists" speed on motorways, though only 42 per cent admit to doing it themselves. Similarly, 51 per cent believe that "most motorists" speed on residential roads - but just 17 per cent admit to that personally.

Government figures show that 60 per cent of traffic drives above the limit on residential roads and 55 per cent of motorway traffic. Speeding on dual carriageways is also significant (52 per cent).

Despite their perception that speed causes accidents, according to the RAC Report, it is a ban on the use of mobile phones in vehicles that motorists want the Government to prioritise for accident reduction, followed by increasing the enforcement of motoring offences in general.

When it comes to speed deterrents, the majority favour speed cameras and also want more installed to catch people who "jump" red lights. However, many agreed that the cameras should be brightly painted.

The cameras' effectiveness as a deterrent appears to lie in the fear of being caught.

Company car drivers are the most accident prone, even when taking their significantly higher average mileage into account. The report also shows that accidents involving older drivers are increasing while those involving young motorists are on the decline.