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Speeding: A danger to yourself and others

On Behalf of | Sep 5, 2019 | motor vehicle accidents

Speeding is one of the most common causes of crashes in the United States. In 2017, speeding led to 9,717 people’s deaths, which accounted for more than a quarter of the year’s traffic fatalities.

Most people speed at one time or another. One person might be in a rush to get home. Another may be dealing with an emergency. Regardless of the reason, it’s dangerous and can lead to injuries and deaths.

What makes speeding dangerous?

Speeding:

  • Creates a higher likelihood of crashing and having a more serious collision
  • Increases fuel consumption and the cost of running a vehicle
  • Increases the chance of losing control of the vehicle
  • Reduces the effectiveness of protection equipment inside the vehicle
  • Increases the distance you need to stop your vehicle
  • Increases the risk of severe injuries

Speeding can also give you less time to respond to the things happening around you. Imagine if a ball rolls into the road; you want to have time to slow down and stop, in case someone walks into your path. At 25 mph, you might be able to do that. At 50 mph, you may have no opportunity.

Why do people speed?

People speed for many reasons, including because they:

  • Are running late
  • Have a disregard for the law or others
  • Are frustrated due to traffic congestion

Regardless of the reasoning, if a person is speeding and causes a crash, the crash is likely to be more significant than if they’d been traveling at a slower speed. If you’re hit by them, remember that you can hold them accountable for their actions.