Speeding is a common driving behavior that significantly increases the risk of car accidents. Driving over the posted speed limit reduces a driver’s ability to safely react and control their vehicle, putting everyone on the road in danger. In the state of Tennessee, speeding is a widespread problem that has led to many serious and fatal collisions. Understanding the effects of speeding can help drivers make safer choices and potentially save lives.
Speeding Increases Accident Frequency
Numerous studies have shown a direct correlation between speeding and the frequency of traffic accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is a contributing factor in approximately one-third of all fatal crashes in the United States. In Tennessee, 30% of fatal crashes in 2019 involved speeding. This percentage has remained relatively consistent over the past decade.
Speeding essentially gives drivers less time to react to hazards and reduces control over the vehicle. At higher speeds, a vehicle travels farther during the driver’s reaction time. For example, a car traveling at 60 mph covers 88 feet per second. It would take 4.5 seconds and 396 feet to come to a complete stop. By contrast, at 40 mph, a car covers 59 feet per second and can stop in just 180 feet. Higher speeds provide less margin for error, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
Speeding Worsens Crash Severity
While speeding increases the frequency of accidents, it also amplifies the severity of crashes when they occur. Statistics clearly show that speeding is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents. According to the NHTSA, speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in the US in 2019.
Higher speeds result in greater force of impact in a collision. Kinetic energy increases exponentially with speed. For example, a car traveling at 60 mph has double the kinetic energy of a car going 40 mph. This energy must be absorbed through crash deformation or be transferred to the human body. At 60 mph, the chances of surviving a collision drop dramatically compared to at 40 mph.
Data from Tennessee indicates that excessive speed plays a major role in deadly crashes. Over the past 5 years, an average of 32% of all traffic fatalities in Tennessee involved speeding. Many of these deaths likely could have been prevented if the at-fault drivers had obeyed posted speed limits.
Impact of Speeding on Vulnerable Road Users
Speeding presents an even greater hazard to vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. In crashes involving vulnerable road users, lack of protection combined with high impact speeds frequently leads to serious or fatal injuries.
For example, research shows that pedestrians face a 10% risk of severe injury when struck by a vehicle traveling at 20 mph. This risk increases to 50% at speeds of 30 mph, and jumps to over 80% at 40 mph. At higher impact speeds, vulnerable road users have very little chance of survival.
In Tennessee, motorcyclists and pedestrians account for a disproportionate percentage of speeding-related fatalities based on their share of road users. In 2019, motorcyclists made up 15% of all traffic fatalities in Tennessee but 35% of speeding-related deaths. Pedestrians accounted for 13% of total fatalities but 18% of speed-related deaths. Excessive speed compounds the vulnerabilities these road users already face.
Enforcement of Speed Limits
To curb speeding and reduce accident severity, Tennessee has implemented a strategic plan to enforce speed limits across the state. The Tennessee Highway Safety Office coordinates with state and local law enforcement to increase visibility and deter speeding in problem areas through funding for officers and equipment.
Techniques used in Tennessee include stationary patrol vehicles with radar guns, aircraft patrols to clock speeders from the air, and LIDAR speed enforcement which can accurately clock speeding vehicles while the officer is moving. The state also utilizes a network of electronic speed feedback signs to alert drivers of their current speed. High visibility enforcement aims to modify driver behavior over time by increasing the perceived risk of getting caught speeding.
In addition, Tennessee has “No Tolerance” zones and days where zero tolerance is shown for speed limit violations. Violators receive citations no matter how much over the limit they are driving. These concentrated efforts send a message that speed limits are strictly enforced.
The Role of Drivers in Preventing Speeding Crashes
While enforcement is important, ultimately speeding prevention comes down to the habits of drivers. By obeying posted speed limits and driving carefully to account for road conditions, drivers can play a major role in reducing crash frequency and severity on Tennessee’s roads.
Defensive driving techniques like scanning farther ahead, increasing following distance, and avoiding distractions can help compensate for driving at higher speeds. Drivers should also slow down and allow extra space around vulnerable road users. Being alert and undistracted prevents the need for sudden braking or maneuvers.
Simply put, excessive speed should have no place on today’s busy roads. Safety must take priority over saving a few minutes on a trip. Through mindful driving habits, drivers can protect themselves and help prevent needless injuries and deaths caused by speeding.
Long-Term Impacts of Speeding Crashes
The effects of car accidents involving excessive speed often extend far beyond the initial collision. Crash survivors may face long hospital stays, expensive medical bills, permanent disabilities, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Families who lose a loved one in a speeding crash suffer deep emotional trauma.
For some survivors, recovery from severe injuries can take many months or years, requiring extensive rehabilitation services and lifestyle adjustments. Permanent disabilities may impact their quality of life indefinitely. Post-traumatic stress and grief counseling are often needed to cope with the psychological aftermath.
At the societal level, speeding crashes strain healthcare systems, drive up insurance costs, and negatively impact productivity through lost work time. Prevention efforts are crucial to reducing this significant public health burden. While no amount of money can make up for the human toll, legal compensation can provide the means for survivors to access medical care and support services for rebuilding their lives.
Legal Assistance for Speeding Accident Victims
If you or a loved one has been injured by a speeding driver in Tennessee, contact the experienced attorneys at Monge & Associates for a free case evaluation. Our team has 32 offices in 19 states, including Tennessee, Iowa, and Arizona, and for years, we have helped accident victims recover the maximum compensation they deserve. Call (888) 477-0597 now for your free consultation.