Laredo, Texas car accident lawyer explains why speeding causes more collisions.
Increasing the speed limit on highways often results in more car accidents, according to a recent traffic safety study. “It is critical to consider the safety implications when local transportation authorities contemplate making changes to posted speed limits,” said Diana Gugliotta, Director of Public Affairs at AAA Northeast.
Unfortunately, the recent study may not come as a surprise to many. That’s because speeding has become increasingly deadly in Texas and nationwide, according to Laredo car accident lawyer John R. Solis, Attorney at Law, who has extensive experience handling accident claims involving high-speed collisions.
The negative impact of raising speed limits
Recently, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety conducted a nationwide study focusing on what happens when speed limits are lowered or raised. The study compared the car accident rate for 12 highways nationwide – six where the speed limit was lowered, and six where it was raised. The study found:
- Car accidents occurred more often on two of the six highways where the speed limits were raised.
- Fewer car accidents occurred on all six highways that lowered their speed limit.
- Driving times remained virtually the same on all 12 highways. This matters since the stated rationale for raising speed limits is to reduce travel time.
“The movement in statehouses to raise speed limits is happening across the country,” said Jennifer Ryan, director of state relations for AAA. “But the benefits are overrated, and the risks are understated. Increasing speed limits does not always yield the positive results envisioned by traffic planners.”
Speeding has become a common cause of collisions
In recent years, speeding-related car accidents have become increasingly common. Fatal car accidents caused by speeding drivers increased for the third year in a row in 2021, according to the National Safety Council.
That year, speeding drivers caused 12,330 deaths on America’s roads. That figure works out to 29 percent of all car accident fatalities in 2021, the AAA Foundation reported. Speeding-related accidents also increased in 2021 by 7.9 percent compared to 2020.
In 2022, fatal car accidents caused by speeding drivers did decrease slightly, but still accounted for 27 percent of all car accident deaths, the AAA Foundation reported. And that figure is still much higher compared to previous years.
Texas is among the 10 worst states for speeding accidents
Speeding drivers in Texas consistently cause a large number of serious car accidents. In fact, there were more speeding-related car accident deaths in Texas in 2021 than in any year in recent history in the state.
In 2021, speeding drivers caused 1,568 traffic deaths, according to car accident data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That figure is the most speeding-related car accident deaths in Texas in more than a decade.
And Texas is in the top 10 when it comes to the most speeding-related car accidents. On a per capita basis, the state was ranked the 9th worst based on car accident data for 2020, when 37 percent of car accident deaths in Texas were due to speeding, Forbes reported. And in raw numbers, Texas had more total speeding-related fatalities than any state in the country.
How speeding makes roads more dangerous
Speeding results in more severe car accidents for several reasons:
- The force of a speeding car hitting another car is greater, resulting in more severe damage and more serious injuries.
- Speeding drivers have less time to react to other drivers, making car accidents more likely.
- Drivers who speed often engage in other dangerous driving habits, including drunk driving and texting while driving.
Why should I hire a Laredo car accident attorney?
If a speeding driver crashes into your car in Texas, you might think your car accident claim will be fairly straightforward. Unfortunately, many of these cases quickly turn into complicated legal battles. Sometimes, it’s because the speeding driver denies doing anything wrong. Other times, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that’s the problem.
Whatever the circumstances of your speeding crash, a Laredo car accident lawyer at John R. Solis, Attorney at Law can help you every step of the way. We know how to find evidence that proves that the driver was speeding at the time of your crash. We also know how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies and will demand the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
Put your trust in a law firm that puts your needs first. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Laredo car accident attorney focused on winning your case. We have years of experience handling complex injury claims and lawsuits throughout Texas.