All of us occasionally speed for various reasons, such as being a bit late for a meeting or accidentally pressing too hard on the gas pedal. Regardless of the cause, the majority of Americans occasionally exceed the posted speed limit. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asserts that exceeding the speed limit even slightly can result in a collision.
Read on to learn more about how speed plays a role in many car accidents. Request a free legal consultation with The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 if you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a vehicle accident.
Speed is a factor in nearly 30% of all fatal accidents
The NHTSA reports that in 2021, speed was a role in 28 percent of all fatal accidents in the US. That year, speeding-related collisions claimed the lives of over 9,000 people. Each of these fatalities may have been avoided if drivers chose not to speed.
There is a good reason to have speed limits
Although it might be exciting, driving a fast car can also be risky. Speed limits aren’t set at random or without reason; rather, traffic engineers base them on the state of the roads, the area, and a variety of other variables.
Speeding is extremely dangerous for both you and other people. You will find it much more difficult to keep control of your car if you are speeding. You have fewer chances to make corrections and will require a longer stopping distance in an emergency.
Speeding makes it harder to stop
Consider this: if you are traveling at 65 mph in a 45-mph zone and the light turns red, it will be far more difficult for you to stop in time and will take much longer to stop than if you were traveling at 45 mph. If you are traveling at 65 mph as opposed to 45 or even 50 mph, you are far more likely to run the red light or skid through it.
Speeding also decreases the effectiveness of safety features like seat belts and airbags and raises the risk of more serious injuries, including fatalities. Practically speaking, speeding results in more fuel consumption for your car as well as more wear and tear on your car.
Certain situations make speeding even worse
Unfavorable weather conditions might also make speeding unsafe. While snowy or ice weather is uncommon in California and Arizona, other weather conditions like fog, rain, or even dust can affect your ability to drive safely. You may need to drive more slowly than the legal speed limit due to uneven roads, poor lighting, and other circumstances. In these circumstances, exceeding the posted speed limit can lead to accidents, particularly if the road is slick and you lose control of your car.
In the end, it is not worth the danger to exceed the speed limit. Make a plan so you won’t have to drive quickly. Take your time and leave a little early. By obeying the speed limit, you can lower your risk of getting into an accident and improve your chances of arriving at your destination without incident.
Contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com if you have been in a car accident with a speeding motorist or any other kind of irresponsible driver. We provide no-cost initial consultations during which we will outline your legal choices and rights. If we don’t make money for you, we never charge a fee!
