Factors affecting driver speeding behavior in Mumbai school zones

Abstract

Reckless driving, especially speeding, is a dangerous behavior associated with fatalities, particularly among school children, and it greatly contributes to deadly accidents in school zones. Therefore, it is crucial to comprehend the elements that encourage speeding in these sensitive areas. This study examined how driver, vehicle, and roadway characteristics, as well as land-use patterns, influence speeding behavior in school zones by assessing the spot speeds of 7,197 vehicles from 11 school zones in Mumbai, India. These zones were chosen through zone-weighted cluster random sampling from a total of 4,150 school records. Results showed that 28.64% of vehicles surpassed the designated speed limits of 30 km/h. The analysis using a random intercept binary logistic regression model identified several factors affecting speeding behavior. Male drivers were 7.6% more likely to speed than female drivers. The location of the school influenced speeding, with probability 36.2% higher in unsignalized mid-blocks compared to signalized mid-blocks. Motorcycle drivers had the highest probability of speeding (11.8%), followed by SUVs (9.7%) and minivans (5.8%). Road environment characteristics also affected speeding. Wider roads were associated with increased speeding, while wider parking lanes led to a substantial decrease in speeding behaviors. These results provide urban planners and road safety programs with crucial insights. Addressing these factors can create safer school zones and protect children.