Speeding is a Major National Problem
Speeding continues to grow as a problem throughout the country and at Maven Autobody Repair in Sun Valley, CA we're more than aware of it. Inexperienced drivers, darkness, fog, snow, and ice all create a problem while driving too fast. Excesses speed accounts for close to a third of traffic fatalities, nearly 10,000 deaths due to speeding. Vehicles still continue to increase in horsepower, and the new electric-powered vehicles have reached speeds in excess of over 200 MPH.
Teenagers
With the distraction of cell phones and inexperience at driving, going to fast as a teenage driver can cause a lot of problems. Add in passengers and alcohol, and the chances of being in an accident increases tremendously. About 10 percent of teenage drivers have been in an accident which was the result of going too fast. This compares to approximately 4 percent of the rest of the population.
Night Drivers
Driving too fast at night continues to be a challenge for everyone. Seeing past what your headlights show while being able to react in time is a constant problem. Curvy roads, oncoming traffic, and pedestrians are all dangerous obstacles where speeding causes accidents. Teenagers have even a harder time at night, only 14 percent of their driving is done between 9 at night and 6 in the morning, yet this accounts for 32 percent of their fatal crashes. Speeding at night is dangerous for anyone, headlights only show a limited amount of the area ahead.
Bad Weather
Not only is speeding dangerous on ice and snow, rain also creates problems when driving too fast. Steering becomes a problem due to hydroplaning and braking power is reduced because of slick roads. Everyone knows the danger of driving on snow and ice, yet many people still speed in these conditions. Dense fog also limits vision and oncoming traffic still can't see you approaching, even with headlights on.
Why People Speed
Some of the reasons of speeding include running late, enjoying driving fast, and road rage. The best thing to do when you encounter someone behind that is speeding is to let them go around you. Turn off the road or even pull over to the side of the road if you get a chance.
A Viable Solution
As automated cars become more common, there will be less drivers which will reduce the number of speeders. Once the system becomes fully automatic, traffic will flow smoother since the cars will communicate with each other and plan alternate routes.
Sources: USA Today and LA Times
