What Are the Dangers of Speeding?

Speeding is a pervasive problem on the roads of Connecticut and throughout the country. In addition to the inherent dangers of excess speed (more on that below), driving faster than the speed limit is frequently a factor in serious accidents involving drunk driving, distracted driving, and aggressive driving.

A car accident lawyer can assess the role that excess speed played in the crash and hold the at-fault driver accountable for your injuries. Contact The Flood Law Firm for free to start proving your claim.

Does Speeding Cause Accidents?

Speeding doesn’t just include driving over the speed limit. It also includes other behavior, such as driving too fast for current road conditions. For example, bad weather accidents may occur if drivers speed when it is raining or if there is ice on the road. Driving too fast for conditions also includes excess speed in heavy traffic and in construction zones. Other dangerous forms of speeding include racing and other displays of speed.

Besides potential tickets and criminal consequences, speeding can create hazards and dangers for passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians, including:

• Increased stopping distance (it will take longer to stop the car once the speeding driver perceives a danger on the road).
• Increased occurrence of rollovers (especially for higher-profile vehicles like trucks and SUVs).
• Greater potential for a loss of control and steering.
• Higher degree of crash severity if an accident does occur (a high-speed crash is more likely to result in serious injuries or death than a low-speed collision).

One of the most alarming aspects of speeding is the increased stopping time. An average vehicle traveling at 30 mph will need about 110 feet to come to a complete stop. In comparison, a car moving at 60 mph will need over 300 feet to stop – this is almost the entire length of a football field!

Additional dangerous behaviors behind the wheel can exacerbate the accident risks posed by speeding. For example, rear-end collisions commonly occur when a driver follows another vehicle too closely while speeding. In addition, pedestrian accidents are more likely when drivers speed in areas with a high volume of foot traffic.

Other extreme examples of speeding include road rage and aggressive driving accidents. In these situations, the driver effectively uses speed as a weapon to intimidate or harass other drivers. Strong emotions often push aggressive drivers past the point of caution. As such, road rage accidents carry a high likelihood of serious injury.

Unfortunately, despite the many dangers of speeding, drivers still choose to drive too fast. This is in spite of both the accident risk and the many practical reasons not to speed, such as increased insurance rates, more wear on the car, increased fuel consumption, and points on one’s driving record. Although the risks are not worth it, statistics show that far too many drivers are willing to take the chance.

Speeding Statistics

According to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, approximately 24 percent of fatal accidents in 2020 involved some kind of speed-related issue. The following statistics demonstrate the old adage “speed kills”:

• Exceeding the speed limit – 82 fatalities (18.55 percent)
• Driving too fast for conditions – 22 fatalities (4.98 percent)
• Racing – 2 fatalities (0.45 percent)

Last year, speeding accounted for about 34 percent of the fatalities in Connecticut car accidents. This number increases when you consider the many other types of behavior behind the wheel where excess speed is commonly involved.

Speeding and Distracted Driving

When drivers are distracted, they are more likely to exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for conditions. In Connecticut, distracted driving accidents resulted in 11 documented fatalities in 2020.

Speeding and Driving Under the Influence

Excess speed may also be a factor in drunk driving accidents, which resulted in 82 fatalities in Connecticut last year. Intoxicated drivers may not realize how fast they are traveling. They may also fail to notice or read speed limit signs clearly, as well as not recognize how close they are to other vehicles.

Speeding and Teen Drivers

Teenage drivers are another demographic for whom speeding is a concern. Statistics from 2020 show that 35 drivers aged 16 to 20 were killed in car accidents.

Research suggests that teenage speeding behavior increases over time, possibly due to them gaining more confidence as they spend more time behind the wheel. Teen drivers should be especially aware of their driving speed in bad weather, on winding roads, and in other difficult driving conditions.

Dealing With Speeding Drivers

Drivers who exceed the speed limit and cause accidents are generally found to be at fault for the crash. However, the at-fault driver may attempt to argue that an error on your part caused the collision.

The following steps can help you avoid speeding drivers and reduce the risk of accidents:

• Let tailgaters pass if they are following too closely.
• Give speeding drivers more space on both sides as you share the road with them. As mentioned, drivers are more prone to lose control at higher speeds.
• Alert local authorities when safe if you observe a car driving recklessly or posing a danger to drivers or pedestrians.
• Don’t intentionally aggravate speeding drivers or attempt to communicate with them while on the road.

It is also important to take steps to manage your own speed when you are behind the wheel. Understanding why people speed can help you avoid it personally:

• Running late: This is one of the most common reasons for speeding. Plan your trip ahead of time and leave early to avoid rushing.
• Traffic: A feeling of being “stuck” often contributes to speeding. People may be especially prone to speeding right after an accident clears or once they pass an accident scene, which can lead to yet another accident. This is why you often see another accident scene right after you pass a crash. Be especially mindful both before and after any traffic stalls.
• Road rage/aggression: Drivers may sometimes express their anger or frustration (about being late, about being stuck in traffic, or about any number of emotional issues) through speeding, turning wildly, or other dangerous maneuvers.

Car accident cases require an in-depth examination of liability, causation, damages, and other complex legal concepts. If you were injured or lost a loved one in an accident, it is crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer for a Speeding Accident Case

Speeding creates unnecessary risks and places the lives of other people in danger. Crashes that involve speeding may cause more serious injuries and property damage than other types of vehicle collisions.

The attorneys at The Flood Law Firm have helped clients recover damages in hundreds of jury trials and thousands of personal injury settlements. Our results speak for themselves, and we can help you pursue just compensation for the losses you and your family have suffered due to the negligence of a speeding driver.

Please contact The Flood Law Firm by calling (860) 346-2695 today for a free consultation. Our car accident attorneys serve clients throughout Connecticut from offices in Middletown, Danbury, Bridgeport, and Waterbury.