Even driving at the speed limit can still present risks if the road conditions aren't safe, such as during bad weather, road repairs, or poorly lit areas at night. Speeding makes all these concerns much worse.
Speeding not only puts the speeder’s life at risk, but it also endangers all other drivers, including law enforcement officers. It's a problem that requires everyone’s participation.
The consequences of speeding go beyond just breaking the law. They include a higher risk that you’ll lose control of your vehicle, safety equipment will become less effective, the distance it takes for your car to stop is longer, and crashes are much more severe at higher speeds, resulting in worse injuries, not to mention the speed-related crashes are expensive in the end. Fuel consumption increases when you’re speeding.
It’s important to understand what drives people to speed, such as distracted and drunk driving. This can help you avoid these triggers and the people who speed.
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Driving Aggression
Traffic congestion is one of the most common reasons for aggressive driving. It often leads to behaviors like speeding, frequent lane-changing, and increased frustration with obstacles on the road. So, the next time you're stuck in traffic, remember to stay calm and patient.
Another thing contributing to aggressive driving is the pressure of running late for commitments such as work, school, meetings, lessons, sports activities, or other appointments. This time pressure can lead individuals to adopt aggressive driving practices to compensate for lost time. That is a mistake.
The sense of anonymity inside a vehicle can also contribute to aggressive driving tendencies. Drivers may feel detached from their surroundings and less inhibited when they believe they’re not being observed or held accountable for their actions.
Disregarding others and traffic laws can also lead to aggressive driving. While most motorists rarely exhibit aggressive driving behavior, some engage in frequent episodes, while others consistently show such behavior as their regular driving pattern.
The increase in drivers and vehicles on the road has also contributed to a rise in aggressive driving. Congestion is stressful and may result in rude and outrageous behavior on the road. Speeding and aggressive driving, no matter the cause, impacts everyone on the road.
What’s a Speeding Crash?
A car accident is usually a speeding crash when the driver is speeding or when factors such as driving too fast for road conditions, violating speed limits, or racing contribute to the crash.
Speeding impairs a driver's reaction time in critical situations, increases vehicle stopping distances, and undermines safety measures such as guardrails and median dividers.
The Impact of Speeding on Motor Vehicle Accidents, Injuries, and Fatalities
Data from the National Safety Council shows that speeding is a leading cause of 29% of all traffic fatalities. In one year, speeding killed 12,151, over 33 deaths per day. During that year, the percentage of fatalities attributed to speeding (29%) exceeded the 26% recorded in 2019.
Demographics
According to statistics compiled by the National Safety Council, in 2022, speed-related crash numbers were lower among older age ranges. Across all age groups, female drivers showed less tendency than male drivers. Notably, young male drivers aged 15 to 20 and 21-24 were most likely to be speeding at the time of fatal accidents.
Statistics show that at least 32% of male drivers of these ages involved in fatal crashes were speeding, while only 19% of female drivers in the same age brackets had broken the speed limit at the time of the crash.
Road Conditions and Alcohol Impairment
Speeding plays a significant role in fatal crashes, notably as roadway conditions worsen.
According to National Safety Council data, road conditions influenced car accidents caused by speeding. On dry roads, 18% of drivers were in fatal crashes; on wet roads, the figure increased to 21%. This number further rose to 33% for roads with slush or snow and to 41% for roads with frost or ice. The scariest statistics showed that roads with dirt, mud, or gravel had 44% of fatal crashes involving speeding drivers.
Driving within the speed limit is usually safe on a dry road under normal traffic conditions; however, the same speed on wet, snowy, or icy roads may grow dangerous and too fast for the road conditions. This is why police give citations for driving too fast for the road conditions.
Speeding and alcohol use often go together, especially among drivers in fatal crashes. The data shows that they're linked, and statistics highlight the different percentages of alcohol-impaired drivers among certain age groups.
These findings highlight the need to address speeding and road safety. Speeding is a leading cause of road accidents, so enhanced police enforcement, public awareness, and promotion of safe driving practices are needed to reduce speeding-related incidents nationwide.
In cases of speeding accidents, car accident lawyers must understand these laws to protect the rights of injured victims.
Basic Speeding Laws
Basic speeding laws are contained in the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law. Generally speaking, drivers must operate their vehicles safely, considering the current road conditions, no matter the posted speed limit. This means drivers should adjust their speed for road safety based on weather conditions, visibility, and traffic.
For example, driving at high speeds during heavy rain or snowfall poses a danger to everyone on the road, potentially resulting in citations or penalties if caught by law enforcement.
Impact of Speeding on Driver Response
Driving at high speeds lowers your ability to perceive and process information. This is called perception time, referring to the time it takes for a driver to recognize hazards like pedestrians crossing the street or vehicles suddenly braking ahead.
At higher speeds, the brain needs more time to process visual cues and make decisions, delaying the driver’s reaction to coming threats on the road.
In addition to perception time, speeding also lengthens the time it takes for a driver to respond to a coming hazard, i.e., reaction time. This delay, known as motor response time, includes the time it takes for the driver to move their feet from the accelerator to the brake pedal and apply braking force.
At higher speeds, the distance traveled during motor response time becomes more important, resulting in delayed braking and an increased collision risk.
Law enforcement has the right to issue citations for speeding offenses, each carrying its penalties, including fines and driver’s license suspension. In many states, fines double for speeding in construction zones.
Those caught speeding are subject to more penalties and may even get citations for careless or reckless driving, particularly if they have violated other traffic laws.
What to Do After a Speeding Car Crash
The consequences for speeding are often more severe when it results in property damage or physical injury. In the event of a fatal crash caused by a negligent, speeding driver, criminal vehicular manslaughter charges could be filed.
Persons injured in a speeding car crash can generally seek compensation in civil court with the guidance and support of an experienced car accident attorney. This step is necessary for accident victims seeking recourse beyond the criminal justice system.
Dealing with a fatal car crash caused by a speeding driver can be challenging, both legally and emotionally.
To navigate this difficult situation, here are some critical steps to consider:
- Call emergency services immediately. Seek medical attention for yourself or anyone involved in the accident if needed.
- Contact the police, providing information on the accident and any speeding that may have occurred.
- If it’s safe, document the accident scene by taking photos or videos, including any vehicle damage, road conditions, and relevant signs.
- If there are witnesses, get their contact details, as they may play a significant role in establishing the circumstances of the accident.
- Once available, get a copy of the police report with details about the accident.
- Contact a personal injury attorney experienced in personal injury and wrongful death cases. They can help you through the legal process and ensure you understand your rights.
- Stay informed about the legal process and work closely with your attorney to understand the steps in pursuing a legal claim.
- Your attorney will help decide whether you have grounds for a wrongful death or personal injury claim.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is a very personal journey. It's important to find legal support. If you haven't already, get advice from a lawyer as soon as possible; it will help you understand your options and rights in seeking maximum compensation for the loss of your loved one.
Contact us today if you’ve been involved in a car accident and the other driver was speeding. We’ll help you through the legal process and ensure you get maximum compensation.