Exploring the factors associated with the acceptance of reduced speed limits

Abstract

Public acceptance of traffic regulations is crucial for both understanding and promoting compliance. This is particularly true for adherence to posted speed limits. The aim of this study was to explore the acceptance of reduced speed limits and its associated factors in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. 586 users of different transport modes participated in the study (public transport = 255, private motorized transport = 253, and active transport = 78). Overall, the results show that: (a) most respondents perceive the current speed limits as suitable and safe, (b) the reduction of posted speed limits is not perceived as a highly effective measure for road safety (c) the level of acceptance for this measure tends to be lower among private vehicle drivers, and (d) the main predictor of acceptance for reducing the speed limits was the perception that the measure improves road safety. Enhancing social communication and driver education is crucial to improve the acceptance of this measure, particularly among private vehicle users.