Speeding has been responsible for about a third of all car accidents for more than two decades. In 2020 alone, statistics show 29% of all traffic fatalities were due to speeding. Even those who don't die sustain serious injuries that leave them disabled or disfigured for life.
There have been several campaigns to help reduce these alarming numbers by encouraging drivers to always drive within the permitted speed limits. For more information on these campaigns, contact The Law Office of Carl Maltese to speak with car accident lawyer.
However, the menace remains rampant on most streets in the United States even though law enforcement officers crack down on reckless drivers.
It is impossible to ignore the role speed plays in traffic crashes. Even though factors such as drunk driving, bad weather, terrible road conditions, etc., play a role in a traffic crash, speeding fast tracks its impact.
A driver can't tell when another car might cross their lane or when an animal can jump into the middle of the street. Hitting the brakes suddenly or a quick maneuver with the steering wheel to avoid accidents can be dangerous if the driver is going above the posted speed limit.
This article will consider a few things drivers can do to help reduce the probability of getting in an accident due to speeding.
Consequences of Going Beyond the Speed Limit
Speeding is more than just breaking the law. The consequences are far-ranging:
It reduces the ability of the driver to keep control of the vehicle if any event occurs.
Mechanisms to protect vehicle occupants, such as the safety belt, are less effective when speeding.
Speed increases the car's stopping distance after hitting the brakes. This often leads to rear-end collisions.
Speeding increases the degree of crash severity, which leads to severe injuries.
There are economic implications of a speed-related crash.
It increases fuel consumption.
There's a high probability of causing wrongful death.
What Influences Speeding on The Road?
Traffic and Ignoring Speed Limits
Many drivers running late get desperate and speed up to make it in time to their destinations. They use aggressive driving, such as changing lanes frequently, ignoring traffic signals, and many more. This increases the probability of them crashing their cars.
Losing Concentration
A driver in a motor vehicle can get detached from the surroundings and behave like a pedestrian instead. Sometimes they may be thinking about other things and stop paying attention to the road. The person loses concentration in such situations and ends up speeding or veering off the lane.
Disregard for the Law
Some laws govern how a person should drive regardless if they are on the road in New York or somewhere in the United States.
Motorists who ignore these behavioral checks and do anything they want on the road put their lives and others in danger. Speeding is a consequence of this, including drunk or drowsy driving.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving describes any activity that diverts attention away from driving, such as talking or texting on cell phones, eating and drinking, conversing with passengers, fiddling with portable electronic devices, entertainment, navigation system, etc.
The most dangerous distraction is texting. Sending or reading a text message takes a driver's eyes off the road for at least five seconds. This can have consequences if an event occurs during that moment.
Safe driving requires the full attention of the driver on the road. Any non-driving activity is a possible distraction and increases the chances of an accident.
Defensive Driving Tips to Avoid Speeding Accidents
Using the Three-Second Rule
The three-second rule helps a driver estimate the distance between their car and the vehicle in front of them. It is one of the most efficient techniques to avoid accidents caused by being unable to stop immediately after the car ahead stops abruptly. This strategy helps drivers who tailgate to maintain a safer distance between their car and other vehicles.
Never Drive in A Haste
Drivers should never take out their frustration or lateness to the road. The person should prepare in advance to avoid speeding up and ignoring traffic regulations to make it wherever they are heading in time. This simple rule can help save many lives lost to car crashes.
Think Realistically
Is it rational to believe that violating the speed limit by 10 miles per hour gets a driver to their destination faster? Assume a person is driving 60 miles to their destination at a speed of 60 miles per hour. If they stick to the speed limit, they'll be there in approximately an hour. However, if they drive 80 miles per hour, they will save only a few minutes. They do this while putting their own life, the safety and lives of those in their vehicle, and that of other road users at risk.
Practice Patience
Every driver has experienced being stuck behind a motorist moving way below the speed limit. The notion is always that aggressive driving could perhaps intimidate the person to speed up on the road, but that is rarely the case. Drivers need to be tolerant and drive safely regardless of what other road users are doing. Patience allows a driver to anticipate what others on the road want to do. This helps prevent the driver from reacting irrationally to such events. The Law Office of Carl Maltese can answers questions such as, "What can you do to avoid Multiple Car Accident?"
Dealing with Speeding and Aggressive Drivers
Speeding and aggressive driving can harm the speeding driver and other road users, such as pedestrians and bicyclists. Here are some pointers for dealing with speeders on the road:
When driving in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them.
Allow plenty of room for speeding drivers. Speeding drivers are more likely to lose control of their automobiles.
Drivers should adjust their driving according to how others behave on the road. Aggressive driving leads to speeding. When getting tailgated or other drivers attempt to engage in dangerous driving, drivers should use their best judgment to turn out of the way.
A driver can call the police if they suspect a driver is tailgating or harassing them.