The factor that causes more serious injury and death than any other in traffic accidents is speeding. Speeding significantly increases the severity of crashes due to the higher kinetic energy involved in impacts, which exponentially raises the force of collisions and the likelihood of fatal or severe injuries. It reduces the driver's reaction time and stopping distance, making accidents more severe and less survivable for those involved.
Why Speeding is the Leading Cause
- Speeding is a contributory factor in about 30% of fatal crashes globally.
- Higher speeds increase kinetic energy exponentially, meaning crashes at 30 mph involve twice the destructive energy compared to crashes at 20 mph.
- Even small increases in speed greatly raise the chances of death or serious injury. For example, a pedestrian hit at 30 mph has about a 20% chance of dying, which rises to 33% at 35 mph.
- Speeding reduces the effectiveness of road safety structures designed to protect occupants during crashes.
- Data from 2023 shows speeding factored into 29% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S., accounting for over 11,775 deaths that year.
Thus, speeding stands out as the primary factor causing the most serious injuries and deaths in traffic accidents due to its direct impact on crash severity and survivability.
