People speed for many reasons. For some people, it becomes a habit. Most of the time, people feel there is very little chance of getting a speeding ticket, so they are willing to risk it by exceeding the speed limit. However, the dangers of speeding are not just in the possibility of getting a ticket.
According to the United States Department of Transportation, over 9,000 deaths in auto accidents were the result of speeding. In general, the trend is that speeding is a factor is a third of all accidents that result in a fatality and about a quarter of all accidents.
The risks of speeding
When you are going to fast on a road, you put yourself and everyone else at risk. Driving too fast means you cannot control your vehicle properly. If something happens, you are unable to respond fast enough to prevent an accident. Speeding also increases the distance you need to stop, which you may be unable to gauge, leading to rear-end collisions. Finally, when you speed, you exceed the abilities of the safety devices in your vehicle so that they may not be able to offer you proper protection in a crash.
The definition of speeding
Speeding does not always mean going over the posted speed limit. You should also match your speed to the road conditions. If there is bad weather making the roads slick, then you may need to drive at a reduced speed to be safe. In addition, driving at night may also require lowering your speed to stay safe and navigate the roadway properly.