Speeding in residential areas is one of the most common sources of citizen complaints that the police receive. It is often the chief concern of neighborhood groups, largely due to perceived risks to children and the elderly. Last year in Foxborough we investigated 59 crashes that resulted in serious injury. Driving at speeds higher than reasonable was a prime factor in a high percentage of these cases. According to national studies, speed is a contributing factor in one-eighth of all crashes and in about one-third of all fatal crashes.
1. Speeding increases the risks of crashes and injuries for several reasons:
- The driver is more likely to lose control of the vehicle;
- The vehicle safety equipment is less effective at higher speeds
- The distance it takes to stop the vehicle is greater;
- The vehicle travels farther during the time it takes the driver to react to a hazard; and
- Crashes are more severe at higher speeds.
2. Even modestly higher speeds can spell the difference between life and death for pedestrians struck by a vehicle. The force of impact on the human body is more than one-third greater at 35 mph than at 30 mph. Each 1-mph reduction in average speeds translates roughly to a 5 percent reduction in vehicle crashes.
3. Many cultures heavily promote speeding, giving it a generally positive social image. Vehicle advertisements often show driving that would be unsafe for average drivers on real roads. Most drivers do not think speeding is a particularly serious or dangerous offense, except in areas where children might be present. Drivers tend to overestimate their driving skills and underestimate the risks of crashing. Speed-related vehicle collisions are more commonly thought of and referred to as “accidents”
rather than “crashes,” suggesting that collisions are not drivers’ fault.
Young, inexperienced drivers often fall into this category. Whenever a person drives at faster than the speed limit, everyone is put at risk.
4. Many drivers admit to speeding in residential areas. Their reasons for speeding including being behind schedule and wanting to make up for lost time, being unaware of the speed limit, and trying to keep up with other traffic. The most important factor in determining speed is the driver’s perception of the road environment and of what speed it is safe to drive. Whatever drivers’ specific reasons, it appears they make calculated decisions to speed.
5. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released a report concerning highway fatalities. In their analysis, it was found that the highest death rates were among people who had not completed high school. Men and women without high school diplomas had about three times the fatality risk compared to high school graduates. This group also had the lowest rate of seatbelt use and the highest blood alcohol concentrations where alcohol was a factor in a fatal crash.
Enforcement of traffic laws and issuing citations for speeding violations are only one part of increasing traffic safety. We need all drivers to focus on what they are doing and drive according to the conditions. Please use your seatbelt and drive safely.
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