When drivers fail to follow the speed limit, they increase the likelihood of an accident significantly. Furthermore, accidents involving high speeds can prove especially devastating, and victims could suffer debilitating injuries or lose their lives. Speeding keeps occurring on U.S. roads for countless reasons, but nothing excuses this reckless behavior.
It is important for drivers to review speed-related risk factors and statistics on these accidents to understand the scope of this problem.
Data on speeding accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers high speeds and traffic crashes. During 2021, speeding accidents claimed 12,330 lives. In fact, this made up 29% of all traffic accident deaths over the course of 2021.
Aside from lost lives, speeding also causes many people to sustain serious injuries on an annual basis. Driving too fast increases both the chances of an accident as well as the severity of victims’ injuries.
Speeding accident risks
Drivers who speed have a greater chance of losing control of their vehicle. Speeding also makes protective equipment become less effective, and it can take a driver longer to come to a stop after they notice a hazard on the road. People continue to drive dangerously fast for multiple reasons, such as trying to get to work on time, road rage, racing and even feeling as if they are anonymous behind the wheel.
Tragically, speeding accidents keep occurring on U.S. roads too often. Those who cause motor vehicle collisions due to driving too fast must answer for the consequences of their reckless behavior.
