According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one-third of all traffic accidents involve speeding. For one reason or another, people feel the need to drive faster than they should, endangering their lives and the lives of others.
But what are some of the specific risks of speeding? What should you do if you see another car speeding?
Keep reading to learn about some of the dangers of speeding that you can expect to face when you zoom down the highway.
Who Speeds?
Although most people have sped at least once while driving before, there are some groups of people that do it more than others.
Many teenagers are notorious for speeding, and speeding is a huge contributor to teenage driver accidents. Studies have also shown that driving fast while you’re young increases the chances that’ll you continue to do it later on in life, setting you up for a lifetime of driving above the speed limit.
Most teenagers report that they don’t consider driving 10mph over the speed limit to be speeding. However, driving 10 mph above the speed limit increases your risk of being involved in an accident by 9.1%.
Regardless of which age group you fall into, it’s essential that you drive as close to the speed limit as possible, especially in poor weather.
Why Do People Speed?
If everyone took their time to get from one place to the other, it would help cut down on the number of car accidents. So why do people speed?
Of course, one of the biggest reasons is because they’re in a hurry to get from one place to another. If you’re late for a meeting, it might seem okay to drive a little faster to get to work on time. The same goes for if you’re running late for an appointment.
Distracted driving is another common reason why many people speed. Looking at your phone, playing with the radio, and talking to other passengers in the car can cause you to take your eyes off the road. You can then speed up without realizing it.
Drug and alcohol can also cause you to drive faster than you should. Drinking too much or using certain drugs can impair your cognitive abilities, causing you to be unaware of how fast you’re driving.
The Risks of Speeding
Speeding while driving creates many risks that can endanger your life and those of others. The faster you drive, the less control you have over steering and controlling the car. This can make it difficult to maintain control, especially in bad weather.
Driving too fast also makes it difficult to stop in time, increasing the time it takes for your car to come to a complete stop. If you’re driving with many other vehicles around you, it can lead to you hitting the back of someone’s car.
There’s also higher levels of crash severity that faster you drive. This means that if you’re driving 75 mph in a 55 mph zone, you’ll experience a more severe car accident than if you were obeying the speed limit. This increases your risk of injury and death.
It’s important to point out that speeding doesn’t only include driving over the speed limit. It also means driving too fast in poor conditions. For example, if the roads are slippery, the speed limit is most likely too high. Slow down to stay safe.
Legal Problems
Aside from injury and damage to your car, speeding opens you up to many legal problems, as well.
On the less serious side of consequences, speeding opens you up to the risk of getting a ticket from a law enforcement agent. These can cost hundreds of dollars, and can also add points onto your driver’s license, which harms your driving record.
If you’re involved in a car accident with another driver, the other driver may file a claim against you. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may have to go to court and pay a sum of money to them.
If you drive a car while using drugs or large amounts of alcohol, you can face jail time. Charges such as a DUI stick with you for the rest of your life, impacting your ability to do things such as apply to jobs and sign apartment leases.
How to Deal With Speeding Drivers
So speeding is dangerous, that much is clear. But what should you do if you see someone else zooming down the road near you?
As annoying as it is, it’s a good idea to let someone pass you when tailgating. If someone seems to be speeding and you have the space to do so, try moving over to give them more room. As mentioned, drivers who speed have a higher chance of losing control of their cars.
If someone seems to be a threat to other drivers on the road, make sure you keep your distance. Depending on the severity, consider calling the authorities. If you were recently involved in broadside collisions in the state of Rhode Island due to the negligence or reckless behavior of another driver, you need an experienced car accident attorney to help you navigate the aftermath.
Remember that whenever you drive, you need to stay calm and not let little things bother you. Strive to be a defensive driver, as opposed to an offensive one, where you don’t provoke people. A small disagreement on the road isn’t worth you risking your life.
Drive Safe, and Be Aware of the Dangers of Speeding
If you drive a car, then you know how important it is to pay attention to safety while driving. As this guide explains, there are many dangers of speeding, as well as legal problems that you can face. Take your time, drive slowly, and you’ll help yourself and others stay safe.
Do you now have a better understanding of why you shouldn’t speed? If you do, make sure to check out some of our other blog posts for more guides and tips.