title: The effects of a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon on vehicle speed.
abstract: In 2008, nearly 31% of vehicle fatalities were related to failure to adhere to safe vehicle speeds (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], 2009). The current study evaluated the effect of a rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (RRFB) triggered by excessive speed on vehicle speed using a combined alternating treatments and reversal design. The percentage of vehicles traveling above 41 mph (66 km per hour) decreased by 20%, and speed distributions showed a shift toward lower speeds during the RRFB condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008, USA. m1vanwag@wmich.edu
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: VanWagner
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Van Houten
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Betts
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D017751:Safety Management