According to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association, speeding is a culprit in about one-third of motor vehicle deaths. However, the report stresses that there is little stigma or shame attached to driving fast on Texas roads or others throughout the country. Speed can play a role in both increasing the chances of an accident as well as the severity of a crash.
There are many suggestions that the GHSA provides to help reduce speeding deaths. For instance, it could be worthwhile to create more roundabouts and other road features that encourage drivers to slow down. Creating an automated method for enforcing speed limits could also be a method of encouraging drivers to reduce their speeds while on the road. Officers themselves could also be more aggressive about enforcing speed limit laws when they see a violation.
Deaths related to speeding tend to be a larger problem in rural areas compared to urban areas. In 2016, there were 5,000 such deaths on rural roads. In contrast, New York City and Boston have seen deaths caused by speeding motorists decline as lower speed limits have been enacted. In April, the GHSA will partner with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to hold a forum to discuss ways to better deal with excessive speed.
An innocent victim who was hurt in a motor vehicle crash may be able to obtain compensation from the at-fault driver. Other parties such as the driver’s employer may be liable for damages such as medical bills, lost wages or lost future earnings as well. However, this is generally only true if a crash was the result of another party’s negligence. Negligence may include going too fast for road conditions or traveling faster than a posted speed limit.