The psychology of speeding: What's your driver personality type?

"Why do drivers speed?" can be answered from many perspectives. I’m sure Freudian psychoanalysts, engineers and sociologists can all furnish insights.

A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found the reasons range from keeping up with the flow of traffic to the mistaken belief that speeding will speed up one's ETA, to “fun” and even avoiding “boredom.”

Speeding is one of the most common yet most dangerous driving behaviors, since it increases both the likelihood and severity of a crash. In 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated around 29% of traffic fatalities were related to speeding — which some experts say could be an underestimate.

The new study,  based on a survey of 16,000 drivers nationwide as well as focus group discussions, categorized drivers into five classes based on their speeding behavior, with 16% falling into the “autonomy-first” category, or those who see speeding as a matter of personal choice and “strongly resist efforts by authorities or technology to constrain their driving behavior.” Another 23% fall under the slightly tamer “tolerant but non-compliant” category, or those who view speeding “as a routine and largely acceptable part of driving.” See the chart below for full details.

Different types of drivers will respond differently to countermeasures aimed at slowing them down. The authors noted that policing is an effective deterrent for “principled pragmatists” (26% of drivers) and “tolerant but non-compliant” drivers who are sensitive to the risk of being caught. But for the “autonomy first” types, roadway design changes to slow down drivers, like traffic circles or speed humps, may be the most effective.

The study noted that most people don't want speed limiters — which use GPS data and either digitally mapped speed limit data or vehicle-based sign recognition — installed in their own cars. But 82% support requiring such devices for drivers with a record of serious speeding offenses. That’s probably good news for lawmakers in Albany, who earlier this year passed a law requiring speed limiters to be installed on vehicles in New York City belonging to drivers who rack up 16 or more speed camera tickets.

What’s your driver personality type? The breakdown given below is based on the national survey — how do you think it differs on LI?

 

Transportation news

• After 15 months of work, one East River Tunnel flooded during Superstorm Sandy opened Monday. Construction on a second tunnel begins this fall.
• Amtrak engineers acknowledged that in another Sandy-type storm, they won't be able to stop floodwaters. So instead, they're hoping to get the water out as quickly as possible. 
• Frontier Airlines is offering unlimited flights for seven months between Long Island MacArthur Airport and three warm-weather destinations for $199.
• For the third time in just a few weeks, a license plate reader in the Town of Southold has been vandalized, according to police.
• Another two LIRR stations are in line for upgrades as the railroad moves closer to its goal of making all its stations fully accessible.
• A new $2 million plan aims to make more than 6,000 acres of parkland more easily accessible for cyclists and pedestrians.
• A sinkhole caused by a water main break forced the closure of State Route 111 in Smithtown for several hours Wednesday into Thursday.

Travel watch

This weekend will be the last impacted by major LIRR service disruptions, especially on the Hempstead branch, related to switch and signal upgrades in Elmont. More information here.

Readers speak out

Nearly two years after my colleague Alfonso wrote about the LIRR planning to address its foggy window problem, this reader says answers — like the view out of his train — remain unclear.

As a regular rider on Long Beach and Babylon branches, there is no evidence of change. We cannot see out when it’s dark or many other times — bright sunshine, inclement weather, etc. It would be wonderful if you could revisit this topic.

Vincent Callagy, Lynbrook

How's the view from your train? Let us know at transit@newsday.com, and stay tuned for answers.