SPEEDING

2006 stats https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853

SPEEDING-RELATED ACCIDENTS IN TEXAS

Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic accidents in the United States. The economic cost to society of speeding-related crashes is estimated by the NHTSA to be $40.4 billion per year and in 2017, speeding was a contributing factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities. At The Ardoin Law Firm P.C., we use every means available to prove negligence on the part of a speeding driver in order to obtain the highest monetary reward for our clients. Under Texas law, all motorists are required to drive at a speed that is reasonable or prudent Tex. Transp. Code § 545.351.

EXCESSIVE SPEED

In general, motor vehicle crashes cost society an estimated $7,300 per second - NHTSA estimates the economic cost to be $40.4 billion per year. The total economic cost of crashes was estimated at $230.6 billion in 2000. (Insurance Information Institute, 2019) (Source: https://driving-tests.org/driving-statistics/)

THE DANGERS OF SPEEDING

(Source: https://driving-tests.org/driving-statistics/)

Speeding continues to be the number one cited driver-related factor in fatal highway crashes. It reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation. For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately ⅓ of all motor vehicle fatalities. (NHTSA, 2018) with over 50% of the five million yearly car crashes in the United States caused by aggressive drivers. (TeenSafe, 2018). In 2016, speeding killed 10,111 people in the US, accounting for more than ¼ (27%) of all traffic fatalities with drivers ages 15-20 having the highest representation in speed-related fatal crashes (32% and 22%) compared to any other age group in 2016. (NHTSA, 2018).

SPEEDING AND ALCOHOL

Further, alcohol and speeding seem to go hand in hand. In 2005, 25% of the speeding drivers under 21 years old who were involved in fatal crashes were also intoxicated, with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 (grams per deciliter [g/dl]) or greater. In contrast, only 11 percent of the non-speeding drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes in 2005 were intoxicated. For drivers between 21 and 24 years of age who were involved in fatal crashes in 2005, 50 percent of speeding drivers were intoxicated, compared with only 24 percent of non-speeding drivers. Alcohol and speeding are clearly a deadly combination.

SPEEDING AND MOTORCYCLES

In 2009, 48% of motorcyclists involved in single-vehicle crashes had been speeding compared to 22% for passenger car drivers, 18% for light-truck drivers, and 7% for large-truck drivers. In 2005, only 49% of speeding passenger vehicle drivers under 21 years old who were involved in fatal crashes were wearing safety belts at the time of the crash. In contrast, 67% of non-speeding drivers in the same age group were restrained. For drivers 21 years and older, the percentage of speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes who were using restraints at the time of the crash was 43%, but 72% of non-speeding drivers in fatal crashes were restrained.

See where Texas ranks in terms of Speeding-related Fatalities in comparison to the rest of the country.