Speed Behaviour of Car Drivers: A Statistical Analysis of Acceptance of Changes in Speed Polities in the Netherlands

Lowering speed of car drivers wil1 have positive impacts on environmental pollution and the number of road accidents. It is therefore a potentially interesting policy option for governments which want to reduce negative externalities of transport. In this paper the acceptance of such polities is analyzed by means of a survey questionnaire among car drivers and public transport users. First, an analysis is presented on the genera1 speed behaviour, the behaviour on distinct road types, the acceptance of lower limits, and the acceptance and perception of electronic speed limiters. Next, a statistical analysis of subgroups is carried out. It is concluded that the speed of car drivers is in genera1 not considered as a main problematic issue by drivers and non-drivers; therefore there is little scope for the acceptance of changes in speed polities. When speed polities are changed (lower limits) it seems most effective to emphasize safety aspects in order to increase support of the public. However, psychological factors of speed behaviour may play an important role in this respect.