Speeding: A Quicker Way to Tragedy
Speeding is one of the most dangerous habits exhibited on our roadways. According to the National Safety Council, speeding was a factor in 29% of the nation’s traffic fatalities in 2021 — over 12,000 deaths; approximately 33 per day. The faster a person drives, the less time they have to react and the greater their stopping distance. Driving too fast also diminishes the ability of safety structures/devices such as guardrails and impact attenuators to protect vehicle occupants in a crash.
“Driving too fast for conditions” amounts to the same thing as speeding. Driving at the 55-mph speed limit in dry, sunny conditions may be safe, but if the roads are snow covered or there’s a driving rainstorm, 55 is hazardous.
To illustrate speed’s deadly nature, the chances of a pedestrian being killed by a driver traveling at 20 mph are approximately 5%. That percentage shoots up to 45% when struck by a vehicle at 30 mph (per the British Medical Journal). That’s a nine times greater risk of death for a 1.5 times increase in speed! Young male drivers ages 15–24 are the most likely to be speeding at the time of fatal crashes. When you add alcohol/drug impairment and distracted driving to the mix — for any age group — speeding becomes an exponentially greater danger.
The consequences of speeding-related collisions include whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, spinal-cord trauma, and death. Property damage; fines, points on one’s driving record, or loss of license; and being a defendant in a personal injury claim are other possibilities.
If you are injured due to a driver’s negligence, call on our firm’s experience and skill to achieve fair compensation for your injuries.
