The Impact of Driving Speed in a Car Accident
While there are many factors that can cause a car accident, driving speed is often the most significant factor in determining both the likelihood of a collision and the severity of injuries that result. In fact, about one-third of all fatal car accidents are related to excessive speed.
As driving speed increases, so does the likelihood of a car accident. This is because higher driving speeds require more distance for a vehicle to come to a complete stop. Tragically, many drivers overlook (or simply don’t realize) this … until it’s too late.
Let’s say you’re cruising at 30 mph on a residential street. Even if you jam on the breaks immediately, you would still need at least 89 feet of clearance before you come to a complete stop. Now imagine you’re flying down the highway at 80 mph – you’d need more than four times that room (439 feet) to avoid colliding with a car in front of you.
Unfortunately, many drivers don’t take this into consideration, especially when they’re speeding and not paying attention to other cars … or pedestrians.
While it’s never a good idea to recklessly speed, driving at higher speeds is a reality of life. Make sure you leave enough space between you and other vehicles on the road – particularly on the highway – and be extra cautious when driving through residential areas and city streets. The last thing you want is to accidentally hit a pedestrian who’s too busy looking at their phone while crossing the street.
If you’re involved in a car accident, call the crash experts at 877-245-6707.
