For years, researchers have scrutinized car crash statistics to find insight about the most pressing dangers on U.S. roads, as well as where and when they’re the highest.
Thanks to their work and the efforts of safety advocates behind awareness campaigns, most Americans are well aware that certain types of negligence behind the wheel increases accident risks – whether that’s driving distracted, driving drunk, or committed a traffic violation. Still, with so many crashes and so many fatalities on U.S. roads, pinpointing the number one culprit hasn’t been easy or consistent.
According to a new study, however, the leading cause of fatal car crashes nationwide is speeding.
About the Study
While distracted driving and drunk driving are often singled out for their devastating consequences, researchers behind a new statistical study suggest a more innocuous and common problem on U.S. roads may be to blame for high rates of fatal wrecks: speeding.
Published in early July by insurance-data service ValuePenguin, the study explores how serious a problem speeding has become in America:
- According to researchers, speeding causes more deadly car accidents across the U.S. than impaired or distracted driving.
- By percentage, speeding accounts for 22% of all fatal car crashes nationwide. The second leading cause was drunk driving, which accounted for 14% of fatal crashes.
- Speeding has been a top 5 factor for motor vehicle fatalities as far back as data has been available.
- The study notes speeding is the leading cause of deadly crashes in 34 out of 50 states, in addition to the District of Columbia. In 17 states and DC, more than 20% of vehicle fatalities resulted from speeding.
Where Florida Falls in the Study’s State Rankings
Florida has not earned the greatest reputation for safe roads; it’s consistently ranked among the worst states in the U.S. for motorist safety, and its drivers among the worst in America.
According to the ValuePenguin study, however, Florida is not the worst when it comes to the percentage of fatal car accidents caused by speeding. Florida came in at #50 on the list of 51 (50 states plus DC) with an average of 6.2% of fatal auto accidents being caused by speeding. The study noted some additional findings about where speeding is most likely to occur:
- The worst offender for speeding-related fatal auto accidents was Washington, DC, where nearly 40% of all fatal wrecks are caused by speeding (almost twice the national average). Others atop the list (with roughly 30% or more fatal wrecks attributed to speeding) were New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Hawaii.
- Researchers found some potential evidence for arguments that life in the South if slower; Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi were least likely of all the states to have fatal accidents resulting from speeding.
Injured? Todd Miner Law®️ Can Fight for You
As a law firm focused on matters of personal injury and wrongful death, Todd Miner Law®️ has handled many cases involving speeding – both when drivers travel in excess of posted speed limits, and when they drive too fast for prevailing conditions.
As one of the riskiest driving behaviors one can make behind the wheel, speeding comes with innumerable consequences – including a greater likelihood for more severe crashes, catastrophic injuries, and preventable fatalities. We’d like to remind everyone about the importance of driving safely and within the speed limit – it can save a life.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident involving a speeding driver, or any motorist that failed to uphold its legal obligation to drive safely, our attorneys are available to review and discuss your potential injury claim. Call 407-214-4743 or contact us online to request a free case evaluation
