Fatal traffic collisions happen for countless reasons, and you should take a close look at different risk factors that make a fatal accident more likely. Drunk driving, falling asleep behind the wheel and using a phone while driving claim many lives. Furthermore, speeding is particularly dangerous, and drivers should review data on fatal speeding crashes in order to understand how widespread these tragic collisions actually are.
Drivers speed for many reasons, from road rage to trying to get to work on time. However, nothing can excuse this dangerous behavior, and those who cause deadly collisions must face serious consequences.
Statistics on fatal speeding accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that speeding collisions resulted in the loss of 11,258 lives in 2020 alone. Out of all lives lost in traffic accidents over the course of 2020, speeding played a role in 29% of these deaths. Not only does speeding claim many lives, but a lot of people become seriously hurt in these accidents as well. Sadly, speeding makes crashes more likely and it also increases the severity of injuries people sustain when collisions occur.
The dangers associated with speeding
At high speeds, drivers become more likely to lose control of their vehicles. Protective equipment does not work as effectively, and it takes longer for drivers to stop their vehicles after identifying hazards on the road. Speeding can prove particularly dangerous when visibility is poor or a driver is drunk, drowsy or distracted.
If your family is struggling with the loss of a loved one due to someone who drove too fast, hold the reckless driver accountable.