In our busy day to day lives, driving is one constant that nearly everyone has to deal with. Whether it is a small drive to a grocery store or a long commute from work, the average American spends nearly 60 minutes a day driving. With all of this time spent in a car it is common to become a little impatient and push the speed limit. While going 5-10 miles above the speed limit might seem like not that big of a deal it is important to understand that speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents, and contributes to nearly 30% of all fatal accidents across the nation. With this in mind, it is crucial to understand the dangers that speeding possesses and in this article we will be delving into the deadly consequences that come with speeding.
The Impact Of Speeding On Road Safety
Speeding is more than just breaking a traffic law. Traveling at high speeds fundamentally reduces the safety of the road for everyone on it, and here is why speeding can be so dangerous:
Compromises Vehicle Control
The faster your car travels the more difficult it can be to control it. This diminished control can make it much harder to navigate a turn, react to unexpected stops or objects in the road, as well as adjust to any sudden changes in traffic.
Increase in Stopping Distance
As a typical rule of travel you should always leave a two second gap between you and the vehicle in front of you to give you time to react to an unexpected stop or change in traffic; however, the faster that your vehicle travels, the longer it will take for your car to stop. For example a car driving at 60 MPH will come to a complete stop after 304 feet, but a vehicle traveling at 75 MPH would take 433 feet to come to a stop. This large increase in stopping distance can be the deciding factor between a close call and a catastrophic crash.
Elevates Crash Severity
The number one issue with speeding is the risk of getting into an accident. High speed car crashes are disproportionately deadly. When an accident occurs, the force of the collision increases with the speed of the collision. This means that accidents at high speeds are much more likely to result in severe injuries or even fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), for every 10 MPH over 50 MPH that a vehicle travels, the risk of death in a traffic accident doubles.
Impact on Other Road Users
Speeding does not just endanger you as the driver; it poses a significant risk to all other road users, including other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Traveling at high speeds greatly reduces your ability to adapt to a pedestrian crossing the road, vehicles merging or attempting to change lanes, and cyclists sharing the road. As a driver you do not own the road and it is your responsibility to make it as safe as possible for anyone who is using it.
Speeding is a dangerous activity that is all too common in our lives, with 9 in 10 drivers admitting to speeding according to a study done by the Zebra. In order to keep our roads safe for everyone we all need to take conscious steps to try and decrease our tendency to speed, and together we can make a safer community. If you are injured in an accident that was caused by speeding do not hesitate to contact the car accident lawyers at LifeLaw Personal Injury for a free consultation. Our team of the best car accident lawyers in Salt Lake City will fight diligently to make sure you get the best possible outcome for your case. If you or someone you know has been injured by the negligence of someone else, do not hesitate to contact our team for a free consultation, and to discuss your options further.