Road Safety: Speeding Kills

According to a recent press release from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, one of the most significant threats to public health on American roadways is speeding. Now that summer is here and more people will be on the road as compared to other months of the year, it is the perfect time for a quick refresher course on ways we can improve and get better at keeping each other safe.

The Real Cost of Speeding: Injuries and Deaths

Speeding is not only illegal, but it is also deadly. Per the NHTSA, even driving a little bit over the speed limit can lead to catastrophic, life-changing consequences. Regardless of whether you are a new or experienced driver, speeding reduces a person’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object, or an unexpected curve, extends a vehicle’s stopping time, increases crash risks because other vehicles and/or pedestrians may not be able to judge the speeding vehicle’s distance correctly, and can increase the severity of injuries you sustain if you are in a wreck.

Here are some of the administration’s most recent numbers on speeding that show how it destroys lives:

• Nearly 12,000 people were killed in speed-related crashes in 2023.
• 29% of all traffic deaths in 2023 involved speeding.
• The same year, 332,598 men, women, and children were injured in speed-related crashes or collisions.

The NHTSA notes that although drivers of all ages and genders were involved in these crashes, nearly one-quarter of the drivers who were in a deadly crash in 2023 that involved speeding were between the ages of 15 and 44 years old. Young men were the most overrepresented demographic in these crashes. In 2023, 37% of male drivers ages 15 to 20 and 33% of male drivers 21 to 24 who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding.

As a type of aggressive driving, there are a few different factors known to contribute to speeding. Among these are a disregard for others and the law, the anonymity that being in a vehicle can provide, traffic, and running late. If you encounter someone who is speeding and driving aggressively, the NHTSA recommends that you do the following:

• Give speeding drivers plenty of room. Speeding drivers may lose control of their vehicles more quickly or easily.
• If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them by.
• Adjust your driving accordingly. Speeding is tied to aggressive driving, so if a speeding driver is tailgating you or trying to engage you in risky driving behaviors, use proper judgment to safely steer your vehicle out of the way. Avoid the situation and do not engage.
• Call the police if a driver is following you and/or harassing you.

Were You in a Speed-Related Automobile Accident?

At Galfand Berger, our attorneys have been representing car accident victims for decades. Some of the most common injuries that individuals involved in car accidents sustain include cuts and scrapes, broken bones, head injuries, traumatic brain injuries or TBIs, neck and muscle injuries, herniated discs, burns, internal injuries, arm and leg trauma, and much more. After a car accident, your health should be your top priority – as you recover, our attorneys can help you by holding the at-fault driver responsible for your accident and related injuries.

If you were in an accident and you would like to learn more about filing a claim, we can help. Contact a representative online now to learn more.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys at Galfand Berger, LLP,  Representing Automobile Accident Victims Since 1947

Contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.