The Dangers of Speeding

Speeding or going too fast for the road conditions, is a major factor in teen crash fatalities. Speeding increases the stopping distance required to avoid a collision even as it reduces the amount of time a driver needs to avoid a collision, called the 3-second rule. It also increases the likelihood that the crash will result in injury. Teens driving 40 mph in a 30 mph zone may think they’re only going 10 mph over the posted speed limit. But that small increase in speed translates to a 78 percent increase in collision energy that’s nearly double. 13,000 lives lost each year due to speeding. Crashes where speed is an issue cost society more than $40 billion annually. In the U.S.A. it costs society more than $76,000 for every minute you gain by speeding. Speeding is often one of several risky factors in fatal crashes, because alcohol-impaired drivers are more likely to speed, and speeding drivers are less likely to wear seat belts. Alcohol, lack of seat belts and speeding can add up to a deadly combination. Young males are the most likely to be involved in speeding-related crashes. According to 2007 NHTSA data, 39 percent of male drivers age 15-20 who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash.

People often think of highways as a major factor for speeding fatalities, perhaps because speeds are highest on highways. But the vast majority of speeding-related fatalities happen on roads that are not interstate highways. In 2006, 47 percent of speed-related fatalities occurred on roads posted at 50 mph or less, and more than 20 percent occurred on roads posted at 35 mph or less. Speed is involved in about one out of three fatal crashes. It is the third leading contributing factor to traffic crashes. Speeding at any level is dangerous. Around half of all speed-related fatalities happen at just 10 miles or less above the speed limit*. In addition to these tragic deaths, hundreds more people every year are injured in speed crashes some permanently. More than 1000+ people are either killed or injured in speed-related crashes every year. It is not safe to speed in any circumstance as it increases stopping distance and your risk of a crash. Driving within the speed limit allows you more time to react to things out of your control. Speed crashes cost the community in the form of, hospital and health care costs, lost productivity in the workplace, the cost of using emergency services. Estimated social cost of damage each year is $283 million.