Experts' perspectives on shared responsibility for speed management: A thematic analysis informed by systems thinking

Area of Science:

• Road Safety
• Systems Thinking
• Public Policy

Background:

• The Safe System Approach emphasizes shared responsibility for road safety, yet practical implementation guidance is lacking.
• Understanding how shared responsibility for speed management is perceived and applied is crucial for effective road safety strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the understanding and operationalization of shared responsibility for speed management using a systems thinking approach.
• To identify challenges and propose enhancements for implementing shared responsibility in road safety.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a systems thinking lens.
• Conducted thirty-three semi-structured interviews with road safety experts and practitioners.
• Performed reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes and challenges.

Main Results:

• Responsibility for speed management is perceived through legal, moral, and crash causality frameworks.
• Competing mindsets influence road safety outcomes and the sharing of responsibility.
• Stakeholder goal alignment is vital for enhancing shared responsibility in speed management.
• Modifying the speed management governance framework, including roles, accountability, and transparency, is necessary.

Conclusions:

• Operationalizing shared responsibility for speed management presents contextual challenges.
• Developing practitioner guidelines, improving governance, aligning performance metrics, and enhancing transparency are key practical implications.