Cars Traveling at Unsafe Speeds Linked to High Fatalities

Speeding and Motor Vehicle Accident Fatality Rates

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is responsible for one-third of all fatal motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. To put that into perspective, take a look at the following data from 2017:

·         There were 9,717 speeding-related deaths.

·         Speeding was a major contributor in 26% of fatal accidents.

·         Among drivers involved in fatal speeding accidents:

o   31% were male drivers 15-20 years old

o   18% were female drivers between 15-20 years old

·         37% of all speed-related fatal accidents involved a driver who was alcohol-impaired.

·         32% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal accidents were speeding.

·         49% of people involved in speeding-related fatal accidents were unrestrained at the time of the accident.

·         87% of speeding-related fatal accidents occurred on non-interstate roadways.

This data is alarming at best. Speeding is a tremendous danger on roadways across the U.S. Despite the best efforts of law enforcement and safety officials, drivers continue to travel at unsafe speeds and put their lives, and that of those around them, at risk.

Data Shows Alarming Details about Speeding Drivers

What may be even more alarming is that data shows that drivers involved in speeding-related motor vehicle accidents often have a record of previous offenses. In 2017:

·         21% of drivers had a previously recorded accident.

·         Six percent of drivers had a previously recorded driving while impaired (DWI) conviction.

·         26% of drivers had a previously recorded speeding conviction.

·         24% of drivers had a previously recorded driver's license suspension or revocation.

·         26% of drivers did not have a valid driver's license at the time of the accident.

What this data suggests is that drivers who speed consistently do so, and without (it seems) remorse. More must be done to prevent speeding and reduce speeding-related fatalities.