In 2015, US data scientist Max Galka made a startling revelation in his analysis of the social cost of speeding. For every 1 minute saved by speeding, 2.5 minutes of human life are lost.
This data is another way to try to get across the message of the cost of speeding – a behaviour often perceived as a time-saver but with devastating consequences.
Why Do People Speed Despite the Risks?
Road safety experts and researchers have long battled against optimism bias, a psychological phenomenon where individuals overestimate their own skills and underestimate the risks of their behaviour.
A famous 1981 study by Ola Svenson from the University of Stockholm found that 70-80% of drivers believe they are better than the average driver. Statistically, this is impossible – only 50% can be “above average.” Yet, this perception fuels risky behaviours like speeding, with drivers believing they can handle it better than others.
Reframing the Conversation
Speeding isn’t just about arriving faster – it’s a choice with real societal impacts. Galka’s analysis provides another tool in our toolkit to reframe this behaviour.
Changing the way our community perceive the risks of speeding is an important part of the change management process. When individuals see the broader social cost, it challenges their biases and fosters support for safer speeds and better behaviour.
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