Speeding and the Role it Plays in Illinois Car Accidents
One of the most dangerous driving behaviors is speeding. Most states, including Illinois, have strict laws about speeding that are regularly enforced. If you excessively speed, you could face felony charges, but that does not stop some people. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding killed more than 9,700 people in 2017 alone, with speeding-related deaths accounting for around 26 percent of all traffic fatalities. Even when speed-related accidents do not cause death, they can cause serious and life-altering injuries.
Reasons for Speeding
There are a variety of reasons why a person would speed while they are driving. Often, drivers do not even realize that they are engaging in this dangerous behavior, while some do and speed nonetheless. Reasons why a person may speed include:
- They are running late for something
- They are distracted by their cell phone or other type of distraction
- They are intoxicated or impaired by alcohol or drugs
- They are simply unconcerned with the safety of others
Further, there are certain factors that have been known to correspond with the type of people that are guilty of speeding. For example, young adults who are under the age of 34 tend to make up the majority of the population who speeds. Males, no matter their age, tend to be speeders more often than females. Those who have had adverse driving incidents on their records, such as a previous speeding, DUI, license suspension or revocation or car crash are also more likely to speed.
The Reason Why Speeding Accidents Are Hazardous
There are a number of reasons why speeding is considered to be one of the most dangerous risky driving behaviors. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that speeding is one of the main factors that contribute to the severity of car crashes and the injuries that they produce. Stopping distance increases when cars are speeding -- the faster a car is speeding, the less time that car has to stop. The force of the impact produced is also much greater when a car is speeding than when it is not; the likelihood of death and injury increase when speed increases.
Have a Knowledgeable Park Ridge, IL Car Accident Injury Lawyer Fighting for You
Speeding is one of the most deadly aggressive driving behaviors, but that does not stop people from doing it. If you or a loved one has been injured in a speeding accident, you should immediately contact a Glenview, IL car accident injury attorney. At the Quinn Law Firm, LLC, we understand how a car accident can affect your entire life. Let us help you fight to claim the compensation you deserve. Call our office at 847-232-7180 to schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding
https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/publications/road_traffic/world_report/speed_en.pdf