It's not a hard and fast rule: A qualitative investigation into factors influencing speeding among young drivers. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Truelove, Verity; Watson-Brown, Natalie; Mills, Laura; Freeman, James; Davey, Jeremy
• Is Part Of: Journal of safety research. Volume 81(2022)
• Page Start: 36
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Self-determination theory -- Deterrence -- Speed -- Young drivers -- Novice driver -- Self-regulation; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Accidents, Occupational -- Periodicals; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prevention; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 363.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2022.01.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4375

Abstract

Highlights: Focus groups were conducted to explore young driver speeding, guided by self-determination theory. Legal consequences and speed awareness monitors were considered transiently effective. Violating speed limits was perceived to be due to perceived safety, norms, emotions and unintentional speeding. Imbedding core values that promote internal regulation is suggested for longer term compliance. Abstract: Introduction: Research demonstrates that young drivers exceed the posted speed limit more frequently than older drivers, and this demographic is also subsequently overrepresented in road crash statistics. This behavior remains a worldwide problem despite legal enforcement efforts that have proven to have limited efficiency and/or produce counterintuitive results. Method: Consequently, this study undertook a qualitative analysis in order to understand the factors that are perceived to both prevent and promote speeding behavior among young drivers, guided by self-determination theory (SDT). Focus groups were conducted with a total of 60 young drivers aged 17–25 years. An inductive thematic analysis approach was taken to analyze the data. Results: Findings revealed the following factors influence the prevention of speeding: (1) legal consequences were perceived to deter low-level speeding, (2) fear of injury was believed to prevent high-level speeding, and (3) speed awareness monitors were considered to be an effective countermeasure. Meanwhile, factors perceived to contribute to violating speed restrictions included: (1) perceiving it is safe to do so, (2) a perceived norm to speed, (3) emotions, and (4) unintentional speeding. According to SDT, the factors that were perceived to prevent speeding promote externalized self-regulatory processes and are therefore limited by short-term behavior change. Practical Applications : The findings have important implications for designing countermeasures aimed at young drivers, not least illuminating the need to have education and media campaigns that target and build drivers' perceived competence, autonomy, and relatedness in relation to speeding in order to promote longer term compliance.