Everyone who has taken a driving test or an introductory driver’s education course knows that speeding is illegal. In addition, speeding is highly dangerous beyond a ticket and fines and can cost someone their life. What are the top 10 reasons why speeding is dangerous in Dallas, Texas?
At Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers, we want to outline the 10 reasons why speeding is dangerous and how it can change a person’s life. When you understand what’s on the line and how speeding can threaten the lives of you and everyone who shares the road with these dangerous drivers, you can better protect yourself and your family.
10 Reasons Why Speeding Is Dangerous
The Texas Department of Transportation lists speed as the top contributing factor in crashes on Texas roadways. Why is speeding a major factor in accidents and road fatalities? How many accidents are caused by speeding? In 2023, nearly one-third of people killed in car collisions were involved in a speed-related crashes. Speeding, even slightly over the posted speed limit, doesn’t shave a few seconds off a person’s commute time. It endangers the lives of everyone with whom the speeding driver shares the road. How? These are the 10 reasons why speeding is dangerous and why is speeding bad:
1. Speeding Reduces Reaction Time
Speeding decreases the time a driver has to react to unexpected situations and changes in traffic patterns. When a driver needs to make a sudden stop or avoid an obstacle in the road, speeding lessens the time needed to react to the situation and correct course. This leads to accidents that could have easily been avoided if the driver had been traveling at a lower rate of speed.
2. Speeding Extends Stopping Distances
Some speeding facts state that speeding affects stopping distance. Not only does speeding reduce reaction time, but it also extends your stopping distance. Think back to high school physics class: the faster an object moves, the longer it takes to bring that object to a stop. One automotive publication suggests an average vehicle traveling 40 miles per hour needs a stopping distance of 139 feet. At 70 miles per hour, that distance increases to 348 feet — the larger and heavier the vehicle, the more time and distance it takes to stop.
3. Speeding Reduces the Effectiveness of Safety Features
While we are back in physics class, recall another lesson. The force of a crash increases exponentially with speed. A crash involving a car traveling at 25 miles per hour may seem minor. However, a collision at 35 miles per hour will be twice as strong, even though the vehicle travels only 40% faster. A crash at 75 miles per hour is nine times as strong as a collision at 25 miles per hour. The damage increases at higher speeds, and the effectiveness of a car’s safety features decreases at higher speeds. Seat belts, airbags, and other safety features standard in modern vehicles are less effective at higher speeds, reducing their ability to protect you and keep you safe during a rear-end collision. Sometimes, rapid deceleration from high speeds can also exceed the design features of some safety systems, meaning they may not function properly.
4. Speeding Increases Likelihood of Fatalities
Car damage at different speeds endangers the lives of the passengers, as some statistical data and facts about speeding state. Speeding increases the damage caused in an accident and increases the likelihood of suffering significant and potentially fatal injuries. In one year, at least 1,469 drivers lost their lives on Texas roadways in speed-related accidents. Victims who survive dangerous speeding accidents may suffer life-long physical and emotional consequences, such as traumatic brain injury, paralysis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other debilitating conditions.
5. Speeding Reduces Your Control Over Your Vehicle
The faster you travel, the harder it can be to control your vehicle, especially in inclement weather conditions. Exceeding the speed limit makes it more challenging to steer and maintain a vehicle’s stability. Most vehicles respond more slowly to braking but more quickly to steering changes. High speeds can also cause tires to lose traction on the roadway, making it more likely for a car to skid or hydroplane and cause a severe accident.
6. Speeding Can Lead to Other Aggressive Driving Behaviors
Stress and anxiety behind the wheel can cause some drivers to speed. Moreover, these emotions can also lead to other aggressive driving behaviors. Speeding and aggressive driving go hand-in-hand and may cause a driver to engage in tailgating, erratic lane changes, and potential road rage incidents.
7 . Speeding Impairs Judgement and Decision Making
Unfortunately, speeding can lead to poor decision-making. When drivers need more time to respond to changing road conditions or make informed decisions about what comes next, they are more likely to make errors and misjudgments. This includes slamming on the brakes too quickly or jerking the wheel and losing control of the vehicle. Those who speed frequently may also feel overconfident in their driving abilities and make risky choices. Distracted driving can also lead to unnecessary speeding, which in turn, increases the risk of impaired decision-making.
8. Speeding Carries Legal Consequences
Excessive speeding can also be dangerous for your personal and professional life. Traffic violations can lead to fines and points added to your driver’s license. Excessive or frequent speeding can also lead to the suspension of your driver’s license, making it challenging for an individual to uphold their personal and career-related obligations.
9. Speeding Brings Financial Repercussions
Paying a speeding ticket is not a one-and-done deal. There can be substantial financial consequences associated with driving too fast, such as the high cost of repairs if you are involved in an accident. You may also face legal fees for fighting or losing a civil lawsuit. Other financial repercussions can include increased car insurance premiums, lost wages if you miss work due to injuries or court dates, medical bills, and car repairs. Another economic consideration is the increased costs associated with fuel consumption and frequent refueling.
10. Speeding Poses a Risk to Others
Finally, speeding vehicles pose a risk to other drivers, children, pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and construction workers.
Involved in a Speed-Related Accident? Contact a Texas Personal Injury Attorney Today
What are the consequences of speeding? Do slow drivers cause more accidents? Has a speeding Dallas driver injured you in an accident? Serious injuries can occur because of a driver’s speeding car. A Dallas car speeding accident lawyer at Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you recover the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Contact us online or at (214) 777-7777 to arrange for an in-depth and free case evaluation. Our law firm can get you the best possible outcome for your car accident case.