Dangers of Speeding: Reconsidering the Need to Speed
Going over the posted speed limit is a leading factor in fatal car crashes. In fact, for every 10 miles per hour over 50 mph, the risk of death in a traffic collision is doubled. This alarming statistic is exactly why drivers need to reassess their situation when considering speeding. Listed below are some common situations that arise and may cause you to consider speeding. We’ve provided some tips on how you can still safety reach your destination without speeding.
Common Reasons Drivers Speed
1. Medical Emergency
In the event of a medical emergency, it can actually worsen the situation if you speed to the hospital. Instead, call 911 for assistance from trained professionals. They are trained to drive at higher speeds and traffic is required to yield to them. These professionals may also be able to provide life saving services before you ever even get on the road.
2. Running late
Many people speed because they feel like they’re running late. However, speeding has been proven to save very little, if any time. Have you ever been passed by a car, only to come up next to them at the next stop light? Before you hit the road next time, check the traffic report and allow enough time to reach your destination.
3. Unaware of the speed limit
Concentrate and be alert when driving. Scan for all signs, signals and roadway markings. To avoid exceeding the speed limit, occasionally glance at the speedometer to see how fast you’re going and adjust your speed accordingly.
4. Driving while impaired. Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol impacts your judgement and senses, even slowing reaction time. In addition it may cause drivers to engage in risky driving behaviors or make them unaware of how fast they are actually going. Read more about buzzed driving here.
5. Unexpected traffic. Congested streets can make even the most seasoned driver a little agitated, but don’t let traffic entice you to speed. Keep your cool while navigating to your destination.
Dangers of Speeding Statistics
Every driver is obligated to drive in a manner that is within reason and protects themselves, other drivers, pedestrians and passengers from harm.
“Results show that the average risk of severe injury for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle reaches 10% at an impact speed of 16 mph, 25% at 23 mph, 50% at 31 mph, 75% at 39 mph, and 90% at 46 mph. The average risk of death for a pedestrian reaches 10% at an impact speed of 23 mph, 25% at 32 mph, 50% at 42 mph, 75% at 50 mph, and 90% at 58 mph. Risks vary significantly by age. For example, the average risk of severe injury or death for a 70‐year old pedestrian struck by a car traveling at 25 mph is similar to the risk for a 30‐year‐old pedestrian struck at 35 mph.” —AAA
Speeding is never the answer. Allowing yourself enough time to reach your destination, or calling professionals in the event of an emergency, ensures that you and other drivers on the road remain as safe as possible.
Top Driver offers a refresher online driving course focused on speed management. To learn more about this course, click here. Or contact your local Top Driver location for questions and additional courses available to you.
Frequently asked questions
Why is speeding so dangerous, even just a few miles over the limit?
For every 10 mph over 50 mph, the risk of death in a traffic collision doubles. That's a steep curve. Speed reduces your reaction time, lengthens stopping distance, and amplifies the force of any crash you do have. AAA research shows that a pedestrian struck at 23 mph has a 10% risk of severe injury, but at 39 mph that jumps to 75%. The same pedestrian struck at 16 mph has a 10% severe injury risk that rises to 90% at 46 mph. Small speed increases produce huge increases in harm, especially for vulnerable road users.
If I'm running late, won't speeding get me there faster?
Almost never, and the time saved isn't worth the risk. Traffic signals, congestion, and the natural flow of other vehicles tend to cancel out the gains from speeding over typical commutes. You've probably noticed this firsthand: a car that races past you on the highway usually ends up next to you at the next light. The better fix is upstream of the trip. Check the traffic report before leaving, build buffer time into your schedule, and accept that occasional lateness is safer than habitual speeding. If you're chronically late, the schedule is the problem, not the speed limit.
Should I speed to the hospital in a medical emergency?
No. Call 911 instead. Trained paramedics can drive at higher speeds legally and safely, traffic is required to yield to them, and they can start providing life-saving care the moment they arrive, often before you'd have even reached the hospital. Driving yourself or a family member while panicked is a common cause of secondary crashes that make the original emergency much worse. The right move in any medical emergency is to dial 911 first, stay with the person, and follow the dispatcher's instructions until help arrives.
What's a pedestrian's risk of being killed at different vehicle speeds?
According to AAA research, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle has roughly a 10% risk of death at an impact speed of 23 mph, 25% at 32 mph, 50% at 42 mph, 75% at 50 mph, and 90% at 58 mph. Age matters significantly. The average risk of severe injury or death for a 70-year-old pedestrian struck at 25 mph is similar to the risk for a 30-year-old struck at 35 mph. This is why posted speed limits in residential areas, school zones, and downtown districts are set low. Even a 10 mph reduction can be the difference between a survivable collision and a fatal one.
How does impaired driving connect to speeding?
Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, slow reaction time, and disinhibit risk-taking, which makes impaired drivers more likely to speed without realizing it. They may not register the speedometer, may misjudge how fast traffic is moving, or may simply ignore posted limits. That's why impaired driving and speeding so often appear together in fatal crash data. The fix is upstream: don't drive if you've been drinking or using substances, including some prescription medications. Plan a sober ride before you need one.
How do I keep from accidentally speeding when I'm distracted or unfamiliar with the road?
Build a habit of glancing at the speedometer regularly, especially after merges, hill crests, or coming off freeways onto surface streets, where speed tends to creep up. Scan continuously for posted limit signs, school zone signs, and construction zone signs, since limits change without much warning. Use cruise control on open highways where conditions allow. If you find yourself constantly going faster than intended, that's a sign your scanning habits need work. Top Driver offers an online refresher course focused specifically on speed management for drivers who want to sharpen this skill.
