Three Decades Later, Speeding Deaths Remain Unchanged

A recent report by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association revealed the disappointing news that speeding-related traffic deaths have not declined in proportion to the total number of fatal car accidents in nearly 30 years, despite the constant efforts of lawmakers and vehicle manufacturers to make vehicles safer for drivers and passengers.

Speeding is not limited to the simple act of exceeding the posted speed limit, but can also mean racing or driving too fast for road or weather conditions. According to the GHSA, speeding is a factor in nearly one-third of all U.S. traffic deaths each year, and claimed more than 10,000 lives in 2010 alone. In economic terms, a 2004 report by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration found that speeding-related car accidents cost society an estimated $1,281 per second, or $76,865 per minute.

Speeding Crashes Are More Frequent and More Severe

Drivers who speed increase their chances of causing a car accident because speeding makes it more difficult to safely maneuver around curves or objects in the road. Speeding also increases the distance that a vehicle will travel during the time it takes the driver to react to a dangerous situation, as well as increasing the distance needed for a vehicle to come to a complete stop.

In addition to increasing the chances of a crash, speeding also raises the risk that someone will be injured or killed if a crash does occur. This is because high speeds dramatically increase the force of impact, thereby creating a higher risk of severe injury or death for the driver and passengers, as well as any bystanders who may be involved in a crash. At high speeds, safety devices such as safety belts and airbags can also lose some of their ability to keep vehicle occupants safe.

Speeding drivers don’t only risk their own safety; they also endanger everyone around them. People who have been injured in a crash with a speeding driver may be able to receive financial compensation for their injuries, medical costs and other expenses. For more information about seeking compensation for injuries caused by a speeding-related car accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.