One of Maryland’s top factors in car accidents is speeding. While speeders might view their tendency to exceed the speed limit as no big deal, speeding is a contributor to about one-third of all road accidents.
Speeding is a form of aggressive driving that puts other people at risk on the road. It accelerates the movement of the speeder’s vehicle beyond the safe limits established by road engineers and transportation safety experts.
Increasing your speed by just 5 miles per hour significantly reduces your ability to react to changing circumstances while driving. Within moments, you could be in a severe car accident that changes your life – and possibly, someone else’s life – forever.
In Maryland, the Car Accident Statistics Say it All
When you look at what the statistics say, it’s clear that car accidents are a serious issue in Maryland. Speeding is a big part of the problem.
- Traffic fatalities are up 3.7% year-over-year in the state of Maryland.
- More than 500 deaths occur due to fatal car accidents in our state every year.
- From 2014 to 2018, speeding was a contributing factor to 33.1% of all fatal and injury-causing accidents in Maryland.
- Of all known causes of fatal crashes, the #1 cause is “driving too fast for conditions or in excess of posted limit or racing.”
Speeders Seem Adamant About Speeding
It’s very difficult to get speeders to stop speeding. When people are already habitual speeders, it’s a hard habit to break. In Maryland and beyond, governments have tried and failed to implement effective speed controls.
Lowering speed limits doesn’t work because people tend to ignore the new limits and speed anyway. Giving expensive speeding tickets usually makes a minimal difference. One study found that even a $1,000 ticket didn’t have much impact because people made excuses for their speeding, with most saying they were running late or not paying attention.
Some innovative researchers have tried offering incentives for people to drive more slowly, but most drivers decline. When a Pew Research Center study asked drivers to accept a discount on their auto insurance in exchange for allowing the insurance company to monitor the speed of their driving, only 37% accepted. The main reasons involve some variation of “I don’t want to be controlled” or “I don’t want anyone watching me.”
In fact, even a global pandemic won’t stop speeders from speeding. A New York Times study of COVID-19 driving behavior found that emptier streets were actually encouraging people to speed up and get into more accidents, which required emergency personnel to be diverted from pandemic-related efforts. Speeding tickets doubled in some areas at the height of the pandemic, but people continued to speed.
After a Speed-Related Accident, You Can Take Action
If someone injures you in a car accident due to speeding, their actions may amount to negligence. You can make a personal injury claim and attempt to recover monetary compensation for your car repairs, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
At Zirkin & Schmerling Law, we’re here to stand boldly by your side and represent your best interests. We have decades of combined legal experience with situations that involve speeding, so turn to us for help understanding your options under Maryland law.
Have a Legal Question About a Car Accident? We Have Answers
When you need to learn more about your rights, the attorneys at Zirkin & Schmerling Law can help. Contact us, or call us at (410) 753-4611 to set up an appointment with one of our experienced car accident lawyers today.