Latest Data Available Suggests Excessive Speed In Combination With Other Factors Increases Chances Of Fatal Crash

Driving a motor vehicle at excessive speeds is dangerous. Speeding reduces reaction time, increases stopping distances, increases the amount of force applied to the vehicle and occupants during a crash, and makes the vehicle less stable, leading to rolling over. Speed alone is a major contributing factor in many crashes. However, speed, when combined with careless driving, makes roads hazardous for other drivers. If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a Georgia car wreck with a speeding driver, you may have rights to compensation. Our Georgia car accident attorneys at Montlick & Associates are highly-trained professionals who are dedicated to maximizing our clients’ chances to recover monetary compensation for their injuries and losses.

The latest data available from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding the incidence of speeding and fatal motor vehicle crashes suggest that speeding is a major contributing factor in deadly motor vehicle accidents. The NHTSA defines a speed-related crash as one in which law enforcement did cite or could have cited at least one of the drivers for traveling in excess of the speed limit, racing, or driving too fast for traffic conditions. The most recent crash data is from 2015. Nationally, there were 48,613 drivers involved in 32,166 fatal crashes that killed 35,092 people. The following illustrate the effect that speeding has on the likelihood and severity of fatal accidents:

  • Of all of the fatal crashes nationally, 9,557 or 27% involved an individual who was speeding.
  • The total number of speed-related fatalities rose 3% from 2014.
  • 35% of male drivers aged 15-24 involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the collision. Many speeding drivers also did not have a valid driver’s license in effect at the time of the crash.
  • Incredibly, in 45% of all fatal crashes in which speeding was a major factor, at least one of the drivers had consumed alcohol whereas 20% of fatal crashes involving alcohol did not indicate speed was a contributing factor.
  • Motorcyclists tended to speed most frequently: 33% of all fatal crashes involved speeding motorcycles.
  • Only 15% of all speed-related motor vehicle fatalities occurred on Interstate highways.
  • Deceased occupants or motorcycle riders were killed in 46% of all fatal accidents involving speed. The statistics prove, therefore, that those drivers who are likely to speed engage in dangerous, careless, or reckless operating behaviors in addition to speeding.

The state of Georgia endured its fair share of fatal crashes in 2015. There were 1,430 fatalities in 2015 on Georgia’s roads. Among those 268, or 19%, involved speeding as defined by the NHSTA. That is lower than the national average.

The road characteristics influenced speed-related fatalities in Georgia. According to the NHTSA, thirty-two of the speeding deaths occurred on interstate highways, either rural or urban. Another five speeding deaths happened on freeways that are not designated as part of the Interstate system. Forty-eight of the deaths attributed by law enforcement to speeding took place on major arterial roads, and another fifty-four deaths occurred on minor arterial roads. Speed related deaths occurred more frequently on local roads. One hundred twenty-nine deaths occurred on collector roads in combination with local roads in 2015. However, the majority of speeding deaths, approximately 59%, also involved alcohol.

Put Our Law Firm’s Over 39 Years Of Legal Experience To Work For Your Case!

If you have been injured in any type of accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact Montlick & Associates today for your free consultation. Montlick & Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. Our car accident lawyers have been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast for over 39 years.

No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.

Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333

Source:
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812409