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.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    It’s not a hard and fast rule: A qualitative investigation into factors influencing speeding among young drivers


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2022-01-21


    Size :

    9 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Peer influence predicts speeding prevalence among teenage drivers

    Simons-Morton, Bruce G. | Online Contents | 2012


    Peer influence predicts speeding prevalence among teenage drivers

    Simons-Morton, Bruce G. / Ouimet, Marie Claude / Chen, Rusan et al. | Elsevier | 2012


    Factors Associated with Speeding Penalties in Novice Drivers

    Eensoo, D. / Paaver, M. / Harro, J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2008


    Repairing faulty scripts to reduce speeding behaviour in young drivers

    Prabhakharan, Prasannah | Online Contents | 2011


    Repairing faulty scripts to reduce speeding behaviour in young drivers

    Prabhakharan, Prasannah / Molesworth, Brett R.C. | Elsevier | 2011