Evaluation of penalty and enforcement strategies to combat speeding offences among professional drivers : a Hong Kong stated preference experiment

Abstract

Speeding has been a great concern around the world due to the occurrence and severity of road crashes. This paper presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of different penalty and camera-based enforcement strategies in curbing speeding offences by professional drivers in Hong Kong. A stated preference survey approach is employed to measure the association between penalty and enforcement strategies and drivers’ speed choices. Data suggest that almost all drivers comply with speed limits when they reach a camera housing section of the road. For other road sections, a panel mixed logit model is estimated and applied to understand the effectiveness of penalties and enforcement strategies on driver's speeding behaviors. Driving-offence points (DOPs) are found to be more effective than monetary fines in deterring speeding offences, albeit there is significant heterogeneity in how drivers respond to these strategies. Warning drivers of an upcoming camera-based enforcement section increased speed compliance. Several demographic and employment characteristics, driving history and perception variables also influence drivers’ choices of speed compliance. Finally, besides penalty and enforcement strategies, driver education and training programs aimed at addressing aggressiveness/risk-taking traits might help reduce repeated speeding offences among drivers.