People often complain about “speed traps,” saying that the police just set them up to make money, not to keep people safe. However, speed limits — and the enforcement that goes with them — aim to create safer roads. The police understand the dangers of speeding. If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by speeding, contact an Easton car wreck attorney today.
What are the Dangers of Speeding
Higher Speeds Cause Worse Injuries in Car Accidents
First and foremost, the speed at which the cars are traveling during a crash often relates directly to the severity of the injuries suffered by those in the accident. A crash may have been survivable at 55 miles an hour but may turn deadly at 75 mph, even in vehicles with the lowest fatality rate. More force acts on the bodies of those in the vehicles.
Speeding Decreases Stopping Distance
Reaction Times
What plays a factor in your stopping distance? Speed and reaction time are the two major factors.
Another issue is that reaction times drop. People do not have nearly as long to identify hazards on the road. Once they do identify them, they don’t have as long to react to them. A driver who obeys the speed limit may avoid a crash that a speeding driver will not avoid.
Car Limitations
Finally, the car physically cannot stop as fast at a higher speed. It’s just a matter of physics. That’s what the extra space in front of large trucks is needed for. Regardless of the car’s mass, it takes longer to slow that mass down at a higher speed than at a lower speed. This means the car travels farther, and the driver may not be able to stop in time, even when they see the hazard and press the brakes to the floor.
Easton Speeding Accident Lawyer
While opinions about where speed limits should be set may differ, it’s clear that breaking those limits increases risks. Those who get injured in accidents need to know how to seek compensation.
Contact an Easton speeding accident lawyer to learn more.
