Speeding is Serious Business

You wouldn’t knowingly run a red light, would you? Doing so puts you at risk of getting sideswiped by oncoming traffic. But what about speeding? Do you ever speed when you are on your way to work or running late to a doctor appointment? The truth is that most people speed without thinking much about it, yet they would never dream of running a red light. So why do some road laws have more clout than others?

First, people think they can get away with speeding much easier than other laws. There are not always cops on the road, and if you won’t get caught, you may as well do it. Plus, speeding isn’t really that dangerous. It’s just a way for the state to make some money, right?

Actually, no.

According to the National Safety Council, speeding causes one out of three fatal crashes. Not running red lights, not drunk driving, speeding. In fact, just this year there was a brutal crash in Ohio that killed six teenagers. Fox News reports that speeding was the sole cause of the accident, and if speeding wasn’t a factor, those six teens would still be alive today.

While some people speed because they think they can get away with it, others speed because they are in a hurry and they just can’t fathom being late. However, not being on time is much better than the alternative. Especially considering that speeding takes over 13,000 lives per year. That is 13,000 deaths that could have been prevented if drivers would just slow down.

So where do all of these accidents occur?

It would make sense that the most speeding accidents happen on the freeways since that is where the speed limits are the highest. Plus, it seems like everyone is always speeding on the highway. However, the NHTSA’s 2006 traffic survey found that 47% of fatalities caused by speeding occurred on roads with a speed limit less than 50 miles per hour, while 20% were on roads with speed limits under 35 miles per hour.

What does this mean for you? You need to follow the speed limit wherever you are. Whether you are going down the street to the grocery store or going on a road trip across the country, the speed you drive can have a big impact on whether or not you will arrive at your destination safely.

Always remember, the laws were created to help you and keep you safe. They are not there to burden you or bring in revenue for the state. You should treat every street law as serious as it is. Always drive defensively and follow all posted road signs. Even if you are a few minutes late, at least you are there.