Speed Kills, or Does It?

The importance of obeying the speed limit is one of the first things we are taught while we are learning to drive. Speeding-related accidents cause thousands of deaths every year, and they cause hundreds of thousands more injuries. In fact, more than a quarter of fatal auto accidents involve a driver who is speeding.

The Dangers Of Speeding

When a driver is speeding, they have less time to brake. Higher speeds increase braking time, so if a pedestrian or animal appears on the road or if the car in front of them suddenly stops, a speeding driver would be more likely to collide with the obstacle.

Crashes that happen at higher speeds tend to be more deadly. Research has shown that when the maximum speed limit is violated by just 5 miles per hour, road fatality rates increase by 3 to 8 percent. The chances of surviving a collision, as a driver, passenger, or victim, decrease as the speed of the collision increases. In other words, accidents happen, but accidents at high speeds are more likely and more deadly.

Factors That Contribute To Speeding

Obeying speed limits seems like a simple enough task. So, why do people exceed them? A number of factors could be involved:

Age And Gender

Statistics show us that young drivers are more likely to speed than older ones. Across all age groups, men are more likely to be involved in a speeding accident than women.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is a very dangerous activity that is illegal across the United States for good reason. It is a leading cause of traffic fatalities in the United States. Alcohol consumption inhibits the brain’s ability to make good choices. As such, a person who is driving while drunk is more likely to recklessly disregard speed limits on the road.

High-traffic Areas

In urban areas and other roads that are plagued with traffic congestion, drivers can grow impatient and tempers can flare. This is why speeding culprits are often found in high-traffic areas. Frustration on the road can lead to road rage and speedy accidents.

Distracted Driving

Many drivers have found themselves in situations where passengers in the car are demanding their attention, their phone is ringing off the hook, or the environment around the car is distracting. This can make it easy to accidentally disregard the speed limit.

Careless Drivers Are The Real Danger!

At the end of the day, the real danger is not speed itself as much as it is careless drivers. As a driver, taking a few simple precautions can save a lot of money and hassle, and it could even save lives. Here are some tips for avoiding excessive speed and staying safe on the road:

• Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination so that you’re not tempted to speed.
• Turn off phone notifications while you are driving to help mitigate distractions.
• Avoid driving while drunk. If alcohol is in your plans, be sure to have a designated driver or other safe way to get home pre-arranged.

A good driver has the ability to have great auto insurance. Contact SIA Insurance Group today to get a quote. You can reach us at 630-325-4000.