Although speed limits are set to ensure the safety of motorists on the road, a number of people choose to violate these restrictions while behind the wheel. Not only is this dangerous to the speeding driver and the passengers in the vehicle, but speeding threatens other motorists lives as well. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driving at a high rate of speed is one of the leading contributors to car accidents in the Tennessee and throughout the U.S.
Speeding is dangerous for good reason. Drivers who speed lose the ability to stop quickly or respond to hazards in the road, such as pedestrians, bicyclists, animals or other drivers. Furthermore, cars, trucks and motorcycles are unable to turn sharp corners when going faster than the designated speed limit. Ice, high winds, rain, fog and snow can make speeding even more treacherous, as vehicles are more likely to skid, slide, tip over or jackknife in bad weather conditions. When vehicles travel at a high speed, the distance needed to come to a complete stop increases. This can make it difficult to come to a sudden stop.
The current speed limit on most rural and urban interstates in Tennessee is 70 mph, which is comparable to most states in the country. USA Today reported, however, that studies show when the speed limit increases, the number of fatal car accidents also rises. Accidents that occur at high speeds can leave victims with severe injuries, including serious fractures, spinal cord injuries, brain trauma and even paralysis.