A lot of drivers have been over the speed limit at some point. It can be easy to do accidentally. However, some drivers do it a lot, and they do it on purpose.
Most of the time, nothing comes of it. That’s why so many drivers do it – they think the speed limit is not needed or is overly restrictive. Here is why staying under the limit is so important.
More speed reduces reaction time
The faster a driver is traveling, the faster they will cover a set distance. If, while traveling at 30 mph, they see a pedestrian or another vehicle enter the road a hundred yards ahead, they should have time to bring the car to a halt before they reach them. If, however, they are traveling at 40 mph, they are going to hit them, as the stopping distance at 40 mph is 118 feet. The stopping distance will go up further if the driver does not react rapidly because they are distracted, or if the road surface is slippery or the vehicle’s brakes and tires are in poor condition.
More speed increases the severity of injuries
If a vehicle hits you while it is crawling along at walking pace, you’ll probably pick up some grazes and bruises. There likely won’t be enough force in the impact to do much more damage than that, provided the driver does not run over the top of you and you don’t fall badly.
If a driver hits you with more speed, the chance of serious injury or death goes up. This is because the impact force will be greater, as force is a factor of the mass of the vehicle times the speed it is moving. More speed equals more force, which translates to more severe injuries.
This is why roads have speed limits, and this is why traveling over the speed limit is illegal. If a driver hits you or a member of your family, it’s important to learn how to hold them responsible for any compensation you need.