DANGERS OF SPEEDING

Driving over the speed limit deemed “safe” by reasonable regard for traffic conditions is illegal. Driving over the speed limit, in any case, can be extremely hazardous to the driver, passengers, and other road users.

Although it is not always at the forefront of your mind on a routine outing, it is critical to pay attention to your speed on the road. Speeding can not only cause accidents, but it can also result in serious legal consequences for the driver or responsible party. 

For the past 20 years, speeding has contributed to almost one-third of all fatal car accidents. Speeding contributed to 29% of all road fatalities in 2020.

Even when you are traveling at the speed limit but are going too fast for the road conditions, such as in inclement weather, while a road is being repaired, or in a poorly illuminated location at night, speed has an impact on your safety.

Speeding endangers not only the life of the speeder, but also the lives of everyone else on the road, including law enforcement officers. It is a problem that we must all work together to solve.

WHY IS SPEEDING DANGEROUS?

Speeding does not only refer to exceeding the posted speed limit. Other types of speeding include driving too fast for road conditions such as rain or ice, or driving recklessly through construction zones. The most common risks associated with speeding include, but are not limited to:

• Rollover accidents are becoming more common.
• Increased risk of losing control as a driver
• If an accident occurs, the severity of the crash will be increased.
• Distance required to safely stop a vehicle has increased.
• Reduction in reaction time
• Failure to yield could result in an accident.

Speeding can lead to frequent speeding tickets and points on your license, increased insurance rates, increased wear and tear on your vehicle, and increased fuel costs, in addition to the dangers of accidents.

CONSEQUENCES

Beyond simply breaking the law, speeding is dangerous. Wide-ranging effects result from this:

• Increased risk of vehicle control loss.
• decreased effectiveness of occupant protection equipment.
• Increased stopping distance after the driver detects a hazard.
• Increased crash severity, resulting in more severe injuries.
• Economic consequences of a high-speed collision.
• Increased fuel consumption/cost.

WHY DO DRIVERS SPEED?

Speeding is an example of aggressive driving behavior. Several factors have contributed to an increase in aggressive driving:

Traffic

One of the most frequently mentioned contributing factors to aggressive driving, such as speeding, is traffic congestion. Drivers may respond by engaging in aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, frequently changing lanes, or becoming enraged at anyone who they believe is impeding their progress.

Running late

It’s never good when you look at the clock and realize you’re 15 minutes past your departure time. This happens to the best of us, and it often makes people want to drive faster in order to make up time on the road. It is common to be late for work, meetings, school, appointments, or other activities, and this can be a major factor in why drivers speed. Furthermore, when a driver is worried about being late, their mind is on things other than the road in front of them, making them more easily distracted.

Disobeying the law

Many drivers drive aggressively without displaying any signs of road rage. Speeding can simply be a result of not wanting to follow the rules of the road due to a personal agenda or a desire to get somewhere faster.

Distracted driving

A large factor in speeding is people’s complete disregard for the speed at which they are driving. Whether they’re thinking about where they’re going, talking to a passenger in the car, or engaging in any other type of distracted driving, a driver may not realize how fast they’re going until it’s too late.

Other reasons why people speed

Even if not everyone is aware of the specific dangers of speeding, everyone is aware that speeding is dangerous. So, why do people continue to do it? There are numerous reasons for this, and identifying the reason for the risky behavior in the moment is the first step toward stopping it:

• Unawareness of the speed limit
• The desire to drive quickly in a specific type of car (think Mustang or Ferrari)
• Other drivers around them are exceeding the speed limit.
• Overconfidence in their ability to drive and/or react quickly
• Passengers’ pressure
• Unaware of the maximum speed limit in a work zone Indiana

ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY SPEEDING

Speeding causes nearly one-third of all car accidents in the United States. When a driver is speeding, he or she has less time to react to other drivers or road conditions. There are numerous common speed-related accidents, including:

• Head-on collisions
• Failing to yield
• Failure to stop
• Side collisions
• Rear-end collisions
• Intersection crashes
• Accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists

Excessive speed can be a contributing factor in any accident. When compared to accidents where high speeds were not a factor, high speeds increase the severity of injury and fatality rates and can cause excessive property damage. An Indianapolis car accident lawyer can assist you in ob

taining compensation for an accident that was not your fault.

DISREGARD FOR OTHERS AND FPR THE LAW

Most drivers rarely, if ever, drive aggressively. Others experience frequent episodes of aggressive driving, and a small percentage of motorists engage in aggressive driving on a regular basis. Occasional episodes of aggressive driving, such as speeding and abrupt lane changes, may occur in response to specific situations, such as being late for an important appointment, but this is not the driver’s normal behavior.

If it appears that there are more cases of rude and outrageous behavior on the road now than in the past, this is because there are more drivers driving more miles on the same roads than ever before.

LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF SPEEDING

The consequences of speeding vary greatly depending on the situation. If a driver is pulled over, they may be issued a speeding ticket, which will result in points being added to their license. Ticket prices can range from $75 to $400, depending on state laws and your driving record.

First- and second-time offenders are unlikely to lose their license. That risk increases if you have three or more violations in the last five years. When speed is combined with other factors, penalties and consequences may be increased or entirely different.

STEPS TO TAKE FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT

Car accidents and other types of auto accidents are frightening, especially when high speeds are involved. If you are involved in a car accident, take the following precautions to ensure your safety:

• Stay calm and get to a safe spot
• Check self and others for injuries
• Seek medical attention
• Call 911
• Document the accident
• Collect information from witnesses and additional parties involved
• Inform insurance company
• Contact an attorney

DEALING WITH SPEEDING AND AGGRESSIVE DIVERS

Speeding and aggressive driving can harm not only the speeder, but also other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Here are some pointers for dealing with speeders on the road:

• If you’re driving in the left lane and someone wants to pass you, move over and let them by.
• Allow plenty of room for speeding drivers. Speeding drivers are more likely to lose control of their vehicle.
• You should adjust your driving accordingly. Aggressive driving is linked to speeding. If a speeding
• driver is tailgating you or attempting to engage you in dangerous driving, use your best judgment to safely steer your vehicle out of the way.
• If you believe a driver is tailgating or harassing you, call the police.