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As you know, every road in the United States has a posted speed limit. Speed limits have been implemented in an effort to keep the flow of traffic moving at a safe and consistent rate.
When the speed of cars on the road is limited, it decreases the amount of time needed to react to changes on the road or in the flow of traffic.
However, when drivers try to save time by driving faster than the posted speed limit, serious consequences can result when mistakes are made. And let’s face it—humans make mistakes. It is simply human nature, and all we can do is try our best to avoid making errors whenever possible.
Read on to learn more about what makes speeding such dangerous behavior.
Speeding Kills
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were a total of 9,478 speeding-related fatalities during 2019.
For over 20 years, speeding has been a factor in about one-third of all traffic-related fatalities.
How Speeding Causes Harm
As you know, speeding is seriously dangerous because it can cause people to lose their lives in several ways. While death is the ultimate consequence, there are other ways in which speeding is harmful, including:
- Higher potential for a loss of vehicle control.
- Human protection elements (e.g., seatbelts) become less effective.
- Takes longer to slow down when a road obstacle is detected.
- Elevated level of crash severity, which leads to more significant injuries.
- Increased financial impact on victims of a speed-related collision.
Road Conditions Matter
If you’re driving the speed limit but the road conditions are unfavorable, you may still be speeding.
For instance, if you are driving in heavy rain and the water is puddling on the road, you will need to reduce your speed and drive slower than the speed limit to maintain safe driving. It is easy for your car to hydroplane when water begins to accumulate on the road, so it is important to help the tires on your car maintain traction with the pavement by driving slower than the posted speed limit.
Ultimately, it’s important to use your best judgment and practice safe driving habits at all times, which includes traveling at the appropriate speeds.
Speeding Doesn’t Save Much Time
According to researchers at Denison University, when you increase your driving speed by a rate of 10 miles per hour (mph), you only save about a minute for every 10 miles traveled. For example, if the speed limit is 65 mph and you drive at a rate of 75 mph, you will only save about a minute and 14 seconds for every 10 miles you drive.
When measuring the pros and cons of speeding, it simply isn’t worth it.
We’re Here to Help Injured Car Accident Victims
If another’s recklessness caused you to sustain painful injuries in a car accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. You deserve justice for the pain you’ve endured through no fault of your own.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our skilled team right away to discuss your legal options with our experienced personal injury attorney.
Contact our office today by calling (310) 683-2300 or filling out the online contact form to discuss the details of your case and learn more about how we can help.