Drivers in North Carolina understand there is some risk of a traffic accident each time they climb into a vehicle. But both the frequency and seriousness of these accidents increase when drivers travel faster than the speed limit. Nationally, traveling at an unsafe speed is the principal reason for a fatal motor vehicle accident 27% of the time.
Speeding frequency
A driver guilty of speeding either travel faster than the allowable limit or driving at a higher speed than they should in the present road conditions. A recent study that clocked the traveling speed of more than 12 million vehicles found that nearly 70% of the drivers observed were guilty of speeding while traveling on a highway. The study determined that 20% of the drivers were guilty of speeding ten or more miles per hour over the speed limit.
Multiple studies have also demonstrated the impact speeding plays on the likelihood of a driver becoming involved in an MVA. The Georgia Highway Safety Association notes that speeding is an often-overlooked factor in many traffic accidents because other factors like the use of alcohol or distracted driving exist.
How speeding affects traffic accidents
The faster a vehicle travels, the less reaction time a driver will enjoy if it becomes necessary to respond to a road hazard. A faster-moving motor vehicle will also need more distance before it is possible to come to a complete stop than one traveling at a slower speed. And even when a speeding driver can avoid a collision with a vehicle or other road hazard, the chance exists that the driver will lose control of their vehicle.
The GHSA also explains that higher driving speeds can greatly increase the impact associated with a collision. For example, the accident impact will increase by more than 100% when the speed of a vehicle increases from 40 to 60 MPH.
An accident on the road can change the lives of everyone involved in a matter of seconds. Individuals who have suffered an injury or loss due to a motor vehicle accident may find the relief they need by speaking with a personal injury attorney.