Speeds and Safety

Car accidents can be caused by many factors, but one of the biggest ones is speed. Going too fast may seem like a lot of fun for some people, especially those driving sports cars, but the effects can be dangerous and even deadly. Thousands of people are killed in speed-related accidents every year and many more are left seriously injured.

Because of this, there has been discussion regarding safe speeds. A safe speed is a speed at which a vehicle travels that lowers the likelihood of a crash by allowing more response time and better visibility while accommodating human mistakes. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), safe speeds accommodate human injury tolerance. Safe speeds should not be chosen by drivers and instead should be set based on various factors, such as the road environment, road users, road design, and vehicle design.

Then there is the “85th percentile rule,” which came about in the 1930s. It became a widely accepted rule for setting speed limits across the United States. The 85th percentile rule sets the speed limit based on the actual speed of drivers at the 85th percentile, or the speed that 85% of drivers do not exceed. This rule follows the judgment of the majority of drivers to determine what is safe.

However, the main issue is that drivers tend to underestimate their speed. This is especially true in adverse weather conditions, such as fog. Motorists often think they are driving much more slowly than they actually are.

Also, many drivers do not think that excess speed is a safety issue. A large number admit to driving at least 10 miles per hour above the speed limit on residential streets.

Safe speeds are important to bicyclist and pedestrian safety. Mitigating speed is vital to improving their safety. Those traveling by biking and walking are at great risk of serious injury in the event of a crash with a motor vehicle, especially at higher speeds.

In any case, the connection between speed and safety is well-established in physics and human behavior. Vehicles with higher speeds have more kinetic energy to transfer to another person, vehicle, or object. This energy is transferred during a crash, causing serious injuries and fatalities. This is especially true when a crash involves a bicyclist or a pedestrian. The higher the impact speed, the greater the risk of serious injury or death.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Many drivers underestimate their speed and the effects it can have on themselves and others on the roadway. Excessive speed makes crashes more likely to occur.

Not all motorists drive safely. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, seek legal help from a Houston car accident attorney from The West Law Office, PLLC. We will work hard to guide you through the process. Fill out the online form or call 281-347-3247 to schedule a consultation with our office.

Source:

safetrec.berkeley.edu/tools/california-safe-speeds-toolkit/california-safe-speeds-toolkit-research-speeds-speed-limits-and#:~:text=Speed%20is%20a%20significant%20concern,aggressive%20driving%20(Caltrans%202023%20).