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Report says Top Gear 'glorifies speed'

A report produced for the DfT has accused television programmes such as Top Gear of glorifying speed and aggressive driving.

The Respect On The Road report says the media needs to play a role in encouraging a more 'positive' influence on motorists.

Around 100 members of the public were interviewed individually and in groups for the study, which looked at different types of disrespect on the roads. It highlighted 'reactive disrespect' - a propensity to act in a more 'primal' way when in a car - as a particular problem.

The 'impression of security and anonymity' provided by a car means that feelings of impatience and aggression are given 'free rein' among motorists, it said. "If it is possible to change drivers' attitudes to what is normal and acceptable on the road, the influence of the people and media that inform these attitudes will play an important part in doing so," the report said.

"Magazines such as Max Power and TV programmes such as Top Gear seem to have some influence over some younger (under 35) male respondents. This media influence is probably negative with regard to this issue, as it glorifies speed and aggressive driving (although, as some noted, Top Gear usually does so in specifically off-road situations), but some saw potential for influence in a positive direction instead."

A DfT spokesman said the comments merely reflected the opinions of the people interviewed for the study. "The DFT commissioned Respect On The Road to look at people's attitudes to anti-social behaviour on the roads. The findings summarise the opinions of around 100 members of the public who were interviewed for the research. They do not represent the views of the Government."

Meanwhile, a BBC spokeswoman said that Top Gear always put safety at the top of its list. "Top Gear always observes stringent safety guidelines with regard to speed when it test drives any vehicle - whether it is on its test track or elsewhere. Speed and aggressive driving is never glorified on the programme," she said.

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