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Speeding Remains a Leading Cause of Car Accidents

Busy schedules, full work weeks and fitting in time for doing the hobbies and activities we enjoy means sometimes drivers speed. We are only human, and the temptation to speed can arise quickly when we’re running late or trying to make up for time lost in traffic. But speeding remains a potent cause of car accidents not only in Florida, but across the country, and therefore continues to lead to death and severe injuries in America every day.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recognizes speeding as an aggressive driving behavior. Traffic and running late are major factors leading to this behavior. But the potential consequences are far greater than any benefit the speeding may provide:

• Greater risk of losing control of your vehicle
• Greater difficulty navigating turns or curves in the road
• Increased time and distance to come to a stop
• Less time to react to unexpected situations and emergencies on the road
• Reduced traction in rain, snow and ice
• Greater risk of tip-over in high winds, especially for high-clearance vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says speeding has been a factor in a third of all motor vehicle deaths in the last two decades. In 2014 – the most recent year with available statistics – speeding resulted in the deaths of 9,262 people.

Speeding endangers everyone on the road, including less experienced teen drivers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for US teens. The CDC also says teenagers are more likely than adults to speed and that, among male drivers age 15 to 20 involved in fatal auto accidents in 2014, 36 percent were speeding when the crash occurred. These harrowing statistics show just how catastrophic and life-altering speeding can be.

Here are a few tips to help you avoid the temptation to speed:

• Budget extra time in your morning schedule so you aren’t running late to work
• You cannot change traffic and speeding probably won’t make up that much time in the end
• Remember that someone else’s loved one is behind the wheel of every car you share the road with
• Remember that not only is your life in danger when you speed, but the lives of everyone on the road

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Boca Raton or any of the surrounding areas, please call Canter Law South Florida Injury Lawyers for a free consultation, at 561-447-4500. We provide free case evaluations by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Experienced Florida accident lawyer Eric G. Canter prides himself and his team on providing clear, straightforward answers to accident victims in our area. We can let you know of your options, including whether you have a claim to pursue injury compensation.