Analyzing Acceptance of Reduced Speed Limits on Greek Motorways: A Survey

Kontaxi, Armira; Agourou, Christina; Yannis, George · 2025 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-85578-8_101

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Summary

This study investigates public acceptance of reducing speed limits on Greek motorways from 130 km/h to 120 km/h and 110 km/h. The research is motivated by the significant negative impacts of high-speed driving, including increased road accident frequency and severity, air pollution, and fuel consumption. Road accidents impose an estimated economic burden of €2.7 billion annually on Greek society, potentially exceeding €8 billion when property damage and casualties are fully accounted for. The primary objective is to understand public perception and acceptance of these reductions to inform effective road safety and sustainable mobility policies. The methodology employed a stated preference survey using a 43-question online questionnaire distributed via Google Forms, yielding 408 responses representative of gender, age, and income. The survey included ten hypothetical scenarios for a three-hour long-distance journey, requiring respondents to choose between maintaining the current limit, reducing to 120 km/h, or reducing to 110 km/h. Choices were evaluated based on trade-offs involving increased travel time, reduced fuel consumption, and decreased probability of injury accidents. Data were analyzed using binary and multinomial logistic regression models to identify predictors of acceptance and choice behavior. Key findings from the binary logistic model indicate that individuals who acknowledge the critical role of speed in road accidents are significantly more likely to accept speed limit reductions (odds ratio 2.529). Conversely, acceptance is negatively associated with having been involved in property damage crashes, past traffic code violations, identifying as female, and having an annual income between €10,000 and €25,000. The multinomial model further revealed that increased travel time and higher driving experience negatively influence the likelihood of choosing reduced limits. Additionally, awareness of statistical road death figures and perceived motorcycle risk levels significantly shaped preferences, with higher awareness generally correlating with resistance to reductions in specific contexts. Fuel savings had minimal influence on choices. The study concludes that public acceptance of reduced speed limits is complex and driven by distinct psychological and demographic factors. While recognizing speed as a primary cause of accidents increases support for reductions, personal history of crashes or violations decreases it. These insights provide policymakers with a nuanced understanding of public perception, highlighting the need for targeted communication strategies that emphasize safety benefits to overcome resistance. The findings are instrumental for designing widely accepted road safety interventions in Greece, balancing the economic and environmental benefits of lower speeds with public willingness to comply.

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• acceptance adoption