Why driver speeding is dangerous for society

Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to road accidents in the country. People who speed typically point out that they are running late and need to get wherever they are going on time. Speeding has some significant dangers associated with it, and as a result, it is advisable that it is avoided. Speeding acts as an important factor that contributes to road accidents and eliminating it will go a long way towards improving road safety.

Speeding causes injury and loss of life. In 2009, speeding accounted for 31% of all traffic accidents (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009).  In 2012, this figure was down to 30%, though it was a two percentage points more than the previous year (NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2014). Speeding is harmful to society because of the propensity it has to cause accidents that lead to injuries, and even death.  Even more concerning is that the group most affected is the youth.  In 2012, 37 percent of 15 to 20-year-old and 37 percent of 21 to 24-year-old male drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding. The demographic that is affected the most just so happens to be the most productive as well. Consequently, the society is bound to become less productive if the youths become incapacitated or killed as a result accidents.

Speeding has a significant cost implication for society. Figures indicate that speeding-related crashes cost the taxpayer $40.1 billion in lost revenue (NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2014). These monies that could have been put to better use in the provision of essential services like health care and education instead go into non-essential uses. Based on this data, it has been speeding costs the taxpayer in excess of $76000 for every minute a driver is speeding (NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2014). Aside from the cost implications to the taxpayer, speeding also has a toll on individual finances. Cash spent on speeding fines can prove costly to a person’s finances, putting one in a position that they lose money for no good reason. Moreover, vehicles tend to use more fuel when speeding than when maintaining a speed within the limit.

Speeding can be avoided or eliminated by adhering to a few core principles. The most important is to plan ahead and give oneself adequate time on the road. Failing to plan is the most frequent cause of speeding on highways. Another simple preventive step is adjusting driving speed in line with weather conditions. Speeding, especially when it is raining, or there is sleet on the roads, is 53% more likely to cause an accident (NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2014). Therefore, it becomes a matter of prime importance and public safety to drive carefully during such conditions. Maintain a reasonable distance between one’s car and the car in front under such weather conditions is prudent as well. All in all, careful driving is sure to ensure the safety of an individual, as well as other road users.

In conclusion, speeding poses a grave danger to road users and the society as a whole. Working towards the elimination of this phenomenon will go a long way towards reducing the cases of road crashes, and in this way prevent injuries and fatalities that result from these. Moreover, elimination of speeding will free up the costs incurred as a direct result of it, and make this money available for essential services. It becomes apparent that we should not speed.

References

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration., (2009). An Analysis of Speeding-Related Crashes: Definitions and the Effects of Road Environments. Springfield, Virginia: National Technical Information Service.

NHTSA’S National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2014). Washington D.C.