Many New York residents may already be aware that traffic deaths across the U.S. have continued to increase over the last few years. However, many traffic experts are not entirely sure why. While some may theorize that the overall increase in driving and the use of smartphones by both motorists and pedestrians are to blame, another study has determined that speeding is the major factor.
The study, which was conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board, analyzed passenger vehicle crashes that occurred from 2005 to 2014. Although the number of traffic fatalities decreased throughout the 10 years the study looked at, the percentage of fatalities that were attributed to speeding remained relatively constant. Ultimately, it was determined that 31 percent of all traffic fatalities, which came out to about 112,580 deaths, that occurred during those 10 years were attributed to speeding. Comparatively, 112,948 people were killed in drunk driving accidents during the same time period.
Part of the problem with speeding is that there appears to be few negative social consequences that are associated with this particular driving behavior. Further, there are no major campaigns going on to increase awareness at the national level. The NTSB also noted that posted speed limits themselves are not designed to prevent crashes. In fact, they were set based on the average speed that drivers were traveling on rural roads when highways were first being built.
The faster a driver is going when a car accident occurs, the more severe the injuries can be. Occupants of other vehicles who are injured in a car crash caused by a speeding driver might want to have the help of a lawyer when attempting to negotiate a settlement with the at-fault motorist’s insurance company.