Matching Countermeasures to Driver Types and Speeding Behavior

Richard, Christian M.; Payn, Betsy A.; Bacon-Abdelmoteleb, Paige; Graving, Justin; Liu, Ta; Divekar, Gautam; Reagle, George · 2017 · ROSA P / United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This report addresses the persistent issue of speeding-related fatalities in the United States, which have remained relatively stable over the past decade despite various intervention efforts. The study was motivated by the observation that existing countermeasures, often focused solely on enforcement or engineering, have limited effectiveness, particularly among high-risk groups like young males who may not consider behavioral consequences. The primary objective was to identify driver-specific motivations and attitudes toward speeding to develop targeted countermeasures. The research sought to determine how well existing driver typologies predict speeding convictions, which countermeasures are most appropriate for different driver types, and the accuracy of self-reported speeding compared to official driving records. The study utilized an address-based mail survey of licensed drivers in Idaho, conducted between December 2012 and March 2015. Participants were stratified by age (18–24, 25–64, and 65+), gender, and the number of speeding convictions in the previous three years (0, 1, or 2+). A total of 1,925 completed surveys were analyzed. The researchers examined respondent attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding speeding, and compared these self-reports against actual driver records. Two existing typologies were evaluated: the National Survey of Speeding Attitudes and Behaviors (NSSAB) typology and a "Motivations for Speeding" (MfS) typology derived from previous NHTSA research. The analysis included regression models to assess the relationship between demographic factors, driver types, and speeding convictions, as well as the perceived effectiveness of various countermeasures, including enforcement, infrastructure, education, vehicle-based, and economic interventions. Key findings indicated that speeding behavior and attitudes vary significantly by age and gender. The study found that existing typologies, particularly the MfS typology, could effectively categorize drivers based on their speeding behaviors and motivations. Regression analyses revealed that demographic variables and self-reported driving tendencies were significant predictors of speeding convictions. Regarding countermeasures, respondents viewed enforcement measures, such as increased police presence, as highly effective. Infrastructure-based measures like rumble strips and speed bumps were also rated positively, while educational and vehicle-based countermeasures received mixed or lower effectiveness ratings. The study also highlighted discrepancies between self-reported speeding citations and official records, noting that drivers often under-report or over-report convictions depending on the time elapsed since the offense and their demographic profile. The significance of this research lies in its recommendation for tailoring speeding countermeasures to specific driver types rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding the underlying psychological and attitudinal factors driving speeding behavior, policymakers can design more effective interventions. For instance, enforcement strategies may be more suitable for certain driver groups, while infrastructure changes might better address the habits of others. The findings support the integration of behavioral insights into traffic safety planning, potentially leading to more substantial reductions in speeding-related crashes and fatalities. The report underscores the need for a multi-faceted approach that considers the diverse motivations behind speeding to improve overall road safety.

Key finding

Driver typologies based on motivations for speeding were significantly associated with the number of speeding convictions, and self-reported speeding citations showed varying accuracy depending on the time elapsed since the last conviction.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 1925

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• speed choice
• sex gender
• incidence prevalence
• cultural cross national
• rail grade crossings
• seat belt use

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence, behavioral performance data
• Methodological Resource: dataset resource