Car accidents are a regularly occurring problem on roads throughout Connecticut and elsewhere. Many factors can play a part in accidents happening, but speeding is one of the major ones. It’s important to know how speeding can put everyone on the road at risk.
How dangerous is speeding?
Speeding is one of the top causes of motor vehicle accidents. Over the past 20 years, it has been responsible for around a third of all fatalities stemming from crashes. As recently as 2019, 26 percent of all deaths from road accidents were largely attributed to speeding.
When a driver travels a high speed, it can put everyone on the road at risk even when the weather and road conditions are optimal. However, the risk of a serious crash is even higher when the weather conditions are bad, roadwork is being done, or when it’s night and the road is poorly lit.
Speeding can put the driver in danger. It also endangers the lives of other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who happen to be on the road or crossing it.
Why do drivers speed?
Speeding is only one form of aggressive driving. It can easily lead to motor vehicle accidents and cause significant injuries and fatalities. The following factors cause drivers to speed:
• Traffic: When there’s too much traffic, drivers may begin to speed while aggressively weaving in and out of lanes in anger.
• Running late: Sometimes, people will speed while driving because they’re running late to get to a destination.
• Blatant disregard for others: Some drivers speed simply because they have no regard for others around them. Many of those drivers have no regard for the law, either.
What are the consequences of speeding?
Speeding carries several consequences. In addition to breaking the law and causing a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents, speeding carries the following consequences:
• Losing control of the vehicle
• Protective equipment within the vehicle being less effective
• Not being able to stop in time when there’s danger
• More severe crashes and more severe injuries
• High monetary damages
• Higher cost and consumption of fuel
Injuries from motor vehicle accidents caused by speeding can be very serious. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a driver who was speeding, you should fight back and promptly file a personal injury claim.