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Is speeding really all that dangerous?

On Behalf of | Feb 27, 2023 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

At one point on another, virtually all drivers have exceeded posted speed limits. After all, these limits can seem unreasonable, especially on long stretches of straight roadways. While many municipalities use speeding tickets to raise revenue, speed limits serve an important safety function.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, excessive speed was to blame for almost 12,000 traffic fatalities in 2020 alone. This number illustrates just how dangerous speeding can be. Still, there are a few different reasons driving too fast can be extremely hazardous.

Reaction times

Every time you drive, you must contend with other vehicles, pedestrians, fixed objects and changing road patterns. You might even need to account for inclement weather or sun glare. Simply put, the faster your car is moving, the less time you have to react.

Road rage

Road rage happens when drivers become too angry to drive responsibly. While many things go into road rage, speeding is often a component of it. Indeed, if you are driving faster than other drivers, they might believe you are on the verge of losing your temper. This can make the highway a chaotic place.

Roadside stops

Even if you have managed to evade law enforcement so far, speeding is a good way to find yourself sitting beside the road with flashing lights in your rearview mirror. Even though roadside stops are effective enforcement tools, they can be dangerous for officers, stopped drivers and passing motorists.

While you can obey speed limits every time you drive, you obviously have no control over other motorists. Ultimately, if you suffer an injury in a speed-related accident, you may have grounds to seek substantial financial compensation.

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