Folksam study finds high speeding rates among professional drivers near Swedish schools

A study by Folksam reveals that 37 percent of professional drivers in Sweden speed in school zones. The measurements, involving nearly 6,000 laser-based checks, found that the average violation was 4.8 kilometers per hour above the limit. According to Folksam research chief Anders Kullgren, this 16 percent increase in speed nearly doubles the risk of a fatal accident.

Delivery vehicles, taxis, and tow trucks were identified as the primary offenders. The study noted that compliance is particularly poor in low-speed zones of 30–40 km/h, as drivers often underestimate the danger of exceeding the limit by small margins.

Regarding traffic calming measures, the research concluded that speed bumps were the only effective method for reducing speeds. Other interventions, such as road narrowing or traffic islands, showed no significant impact, and in some cases, speeds were actually higher where traffic islands were present. The study also highlighted the responsibility of employers to ensure drivers are not pressured to exceed speed limits to meet deadlines.