Driving is one of the few constants in our busy day-to-day lives. Whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store or a long commute to work, the average American spends nearly 60 minutes behind the wheel every day. With that much time spent in a car, it’s easy to grow impatient and push past the speed limit. Going 5-10 miles over might not seem like a big deal, but speeding is one of the leading causes of car accidents, contributing to nearly 30% of all fatal crashes across the nation. With that in mind, it’s worth taking a closer look at the real dangers speeding creates, and the deadly consequences that can follow.
The Impact of Speeding on Road Safety
Speeding is more than just breaking a traffic law. Traveling at high speeds fundamentally reduces safety for everyone on the road. Here’s why:
It compromises vehicle control.
The faster a car travels, the harder it becomes to control. This diminished control making it more difficult to navigate turns, react to unexpected obstacles, or adjust to sudden changes in traffic.
It increases stopping distances.
As a general rule, you should leave a two-second gap between your car and the vehicle ahead of you, giving yourself time to react to a sudden stop or shift in traffic. But the faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to stop. A car going 60 mph needs about 304 feet to come to a complete stop, while a car going 75 mph needs roughly 433 feet. That extra distance can be the difference between a close call and a catastrophic crash.
It elevates crash severity.
The biggest danger of speeding is the risk of a crash, and high speed crashes are disproportionately deadly. The force of a collision increases with speed, which means accidents at higher speeds are far more likely to result in severe injuries or fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the risk of death in a crash doubles for every 10 mph a vehicle travels over 50 mph.
It puts other road users at risk.
Speeding doesn’t just endanger the driver, it threatens everyone else on the road, including other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Traveling at high speeds sharply reduces your ability to react to a pedestrian crossing the street, a car merging or changing lanes, or a cyclist sharing your lane. As a driver, you don’t own the road, and it’s your responsibility to help keep it safe for everyone using it.
A Shared Responsibility
Speeding is a dangerous habit that is far too common, a study by The Zebra found that 9 in 10 drivers admit to speeding. Keeping our roads safe means all of us taking conscious steps to curb that tendency, together, we can build a safer community.
If you are injured in an accident that was caused by speeding do not hesitate to contact the best car accident lawyers at LifeLaw Trial Lawyers for a free consultation. Our team of expert 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 don’t 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.