Abstract
The objective of this paper is to examine the driver’s characteristics in relation to speeding behaviour and traffic safety issues with the help of a self-reported questionnaire survey. A comprehensive questionnaire was designed considering the attitudes and norms of the local drivers and theoretical background of Norm-Activation Model (NAM) theory. The total collected samples were 301 and data were analyzed using factor analysis and structural equation modelling technique. Excessive speed remains one of the causal factors associated with serious accidents in Oman. Results revealed that individual personality traits, driving culture and traffic exposure, and different situational constraints have significant relationships with the speeding behaviour of drivers. Male and young drivers have more trend of speeding in comparison to other drivers. The study results confirmed that variables of NAM theory have a significant and positive relationship with driver’s speeding behaviour. These findings can be used to develop specific policies aimed at improving the traffic safety on roads. The main priority of public safety policy should be to plan awareness and behavioural change programs for the drivers in Oman about the risks associated with speeding behaviour.
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Acknowledgements
This research work was conducted at University of Nizwa, Sultanate of Oman. The authors are thankful to all the people who supported this work and helped in conducting the questionnaire survey.
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Appendix: Questionnaire Items
Appendix: Questionnaire Items
Part 1: Please fill or circle the following information as requested.
Q1) Age | …………years | Q2) In which city do you live in Oman? | …………………………… | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Q3) Gender | 1) Male 2) Female | ||||
Q4) Nationality | ……………… | Q5) Your profession | 1) Student 2) Employee 3) Professional driver 4) Other | ||
Q6) What type of vehicle do you drive? | 1) Private car/taxi 2) Bus 3) Truck 4) Others (……………) | ||||
Q7) How long do you drive daily? | 1) Less than 1 h 2) 1–2 h 3) 3–4 h 4) more than 4 h | ||||
Q8) How many years of driving experience do you have? | 1) Less than 1 year 2) 1–2 years 3) 3–5 years 4) More than 5 years | ||||
Q9) Have you ever experienced an accident? | (1) Yes (2) no | ||||
Q10) Have you ever experienced an accident due to over-speeding? | (1) Yes (2) no | ||||
Part 2: Kindly circle appropriate option against each statement using below five-point scales.
Please circle around your best option | Evaluation Scale |
|---|---|
Q1) How often do you exceed the speed limit by 10 km/h or more on 80 km/h roads? Q2) How often do you exceed the speed limit by 10 km/h or more on 100 km/h roads? Q3) How often do you exceed the speed limit by 10 km/h or more on 120 km/h roads? | 1: Never 2: Rarely 3: Sometimes, 4: very often, 5: always |
Part 3: Kindly circle appropriate option against each statement using below five-point scales.
Please circle around your best option | Evaluation Scale |
|---|---|
Q1) I believe that the present ROP enforcements are enough to control over-speeding Q2) I believe that the presence of speed cameras is effective to control over-speeding Q3) I believe that the presence of ROP staff on roads is effective to control over-speeding Q4) I feel a moral obligation to follow the speed limits for the safety of myself Q5) I feel a moral obligation to follow the speed limits for the safety of family members/friends Q6) I feel a moral obligation to follow the speed limits for the safety of other drivers Q7) I believe that accident due to over-speeding may cause damage to the public property Q8) I feel equal responsibility of the accident happened due to over-speeding Q9) I feel equal responsibility for the safety of others Q10) I feel equal responsibility for the protection of public property Q11) Driving at high speed than post-speed has become the driving culture Q12) Usually young drivers tend to do over-speeding Q13) Usually drivers of luxury and high engine capacity cars tend to do over-speeding Q14) I always get annoyed because of other drivers speeding behaviour Q15) I always get annoyed because of slow drivers Q16) I like to watch racing movies and related sports Q17) I do not mind when other drivers overtake my vehicle Q18) I am a kind of adventurous and thrill-seeking Q19) I like new technologies in the vehicle Q20) The speeding behaviour of other drivers encourages me to do over-speeding Q21) I have to drive fast when I am getting late Q22) When we go on a long trip, I only do over-speeding Q23) Only in emergency situations, I do over-speeding | 1: Strongly disagree 2: Disagree 3: Neutral 4: Agree 5: Strongly disagree |
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Javid, M.A., Al-Roushdi, A.F.A. Causal Factors of Driver’s Speeding Behaviour, a Case Study in Oman: Role of Norms, Personality, and Exposure Aspects. Int J Civ Eng 17, 1409–1419 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-019-00403-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-019-00403-8