Attitudes affecting speeding behaviour with special reference to attitudes of Malaysian car drivers / Farah Fazlinda Mohamad

• Main Author: Farah Fazlinda , Mohamad
• Format: Thesis
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: BF Psychology; H Social Sciences (General)
• Online Access: http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/14767/1/Farah_Fazlinda.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/14767/

The increasing number of road crashes and fatalities on Malaysian roads is a worrying phenomenon and the main cause of this has been attributed to the speeding behaviour of drivers. As such, this study aims to investigate the possible driver factors, specifically, their attitude, which could affect the speeding behaviour of drivers on Malaysian roads. This study uses a mixed method research design. The quantitative data were collected via a face-to-face survey of 503 participants in Malaysia. Data were then analysed via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The outcome of the quantitative approach was further supported by the qualitative approach where interviews were conducted via a focus group discussion. Data were thematically classified. The findings revealed that the drivers’ attitude is capable of affecting the drivers’ speeding behaviour when driving on Malaysian roads. The survey results also highlighted that drivers have a higher tendency to speed on Expressways as compared to Federal roads. This outcome was strongly supported by the focus group discussion data. Three hypotheses formulated for this study were also supported, whereby male drivers, speed violation records and crash experiences were found to have a higher tendency to speed. Additionally, this study also showed that drivers can be classified into four driver typologies - law abiding, cautious, pragmatic and risk-taking. This study offers three contributions to the driver-behaviour research. Firstly, this study serves as an insight into understanding the drivers’ attitude in relation to their speeding behaviour when using the Expressways and Federal roads. Hence, attitude becomes the basis of behaviour even when different road types are involved. Secondly, by taking the drivers’ typologies into consideration, this study offers the authority a possibility into undertaking the safety approaches employed by other countries, such as the Concept of Safe Speed Limit and Safe System Approach, as a way to improve drivers’ behaviours on the road. Finally, this study is the next step for sustainable road safety implementation. It is hoped that this study ill serve as a guide to improve drivers’ speeding behaviour and to reduce speed-related road crashes and fatalities on Malaysian roads.