Speeding to Save Time—Not Worth the Risk!

Tearing down the highway in your car, feeling the wind through your hair as you whip past other motorists—speeding might be a very exhilarating experience!

But if there’s anything that history has taught us, it’s that one simple mistake, like going above the speed limit can result in fatal consequences.

Facts about Speeding

Speeding accounts for one-third of all major vehicle accidents in the country and was the primary cause of road accident-related fatalities in 2016, counting for more than 10,000 people.

Speeding also accounts for 31 percent of all US teen driver fatalities.

But despite these statistics, speeding continues to be disregarded as a cause for concern by the general population. Why is that?

Making a Case for Speeding?

For most cases, a common reason for speeding was familiarity. Given that the driver knew the route, they were able to anticipate their commute as they always had. However, a significant flaw in this reason is pedestrian movement. Even in familiar routes, you cannot always predict how the crowds will move. That is why pedestrians account for a significant percentage of traffic casualties. 

Another reason is lack of time, paired with overconfidence on the road, and impatience. You’re rushing to get an errand done, so you drive more aggressively to go around the slower drivers or through red lights, feeling confident in your skills.

But the urgency, paired with impatience, is a bigger reason why people end up causing accidents. Aggression is a major cause for 50 percent of the five million yearly crashes that occur in the United States, with speeding being the prominent factor.

So, in any case, speeding is not a viable option when driving on the road.

Laws on Speeding

According to a personal injury lawyer, Lisa Douglas, from Little Rock, speeding is one of the most common reasons for personal injury lawsuits.

And in most cases, these lawsuits lean in favor of the plaintiff, especially if there is clear evidence that the driver was aggressively speeding without regard for pedestrians or drivers.

Additionally, if you exceed the speed limit by 15 mph over the posted limit in a state like Arkansas, you are automatically considered a reckless driver. And violators can be fined $500 and, in some cases, sentenced to 5 – 90 days in jail. Other states also carry similar laws.

So, unless you want to have a strike against your name, it’s wise to travel at the posted speed limit.

Were You Involved in a Car Accident?

If you are a victim of a speeding driver, speak to a personal injury lawyer right away so you can determine your rights.

If you’re in Arkansas, get in touch with Lisa Douglas. Receive a free consultation to determine if you have a case.

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