Speed & Safety

1. SpeedSpeed
&&
SafetySafety

2. SpeedRisks
SpeedRisks
o The higher the travel speed, the greaterThe higher the travel speed, the greater
the risk of serious injury or death in athe risk of serious injury or death in a
crashcrash
o In California speed was indicated as theIn California speed was indicated as the
primary collision factor in 30.4% of theprimary collision factor in 30.4% of the
fatal and injury collisionsfatal and injury collisions
o Roadway Design Factors. Other vehiclesRoadway Design Factors. Other vehicles
and pedestrians are put at risk byand pedestrians are put at risk by
speeding driversspeeding drivers
In California there were 2715 people killed in 2010 inIn California there were 2715 people killed in 2010 in
vehicle crashes

3. Whatistherelationship
Whatistherelationship
betweenhowfastacar
betweenhowfastacar
isgoingandwhat
isgoingandwhat
happensinacrash?
happensinacrash?
The rate of severe injury forThe rate of severe injury for
people involved in crashes atpeople involved in crashes at
impact speeds:impact speeds:
o21-30 mph is 11.1%21-30 mph is 11.1%
o31-40 mph is 27.9%31-40 mph is 27.9%
o50+ mph is 54.3%50+ mph is 54.3%
In 2010, California had no days without a traffic fatalityIn 2010, California had no days without a traffic fatality

4. WhoSpeedstheMost?
WhoSpeedstheMost?
o Young drivers speed more often thanYoung drivers speed more often than
older driversolder drivers
o Speeding violations are at least threeSpeeding violations are at least three
times as high for drivers 16-19 years oldtimes as high for drivers 16-19 years old
as it is for drivers age 30 and olderas it is for drivers age 30 and older
o About 37% of all drivers age 14-19About 37% of all drivers age 14-19
involved in fatal crashes were in speed-involved in fatal crashes were in speed-
related crashes, but the percentagerelated crashes, but the percentage
among drivers 70 and older decreasedamong drivers 70 and older decreased
to 7%to 7%
o At all ages, male drivers are more likelyAt all ages, male drivers are more likely
than female drivers to speedthan female drivers to speed
30.4% of all vehicle fatalities in California are speeding30.4% of all vehicle fatalities in California are speeding
relatedrelated

5. Whatistheroleofspeedincrashes?
Whatistheroleofspeedincrashes?
Speed influences crashes in fourSpeed influences crashes in four
basic ways:basic ways:
o It increases the distance a vehicle travelsIt increases the distance a vehicle travels
from when a driver detects an emergencyfrom when a driver detects an emergency
until the driver reacts.until the driver reacts.
o It increases the distance needed to stop aIt increases the distance needed to stop a
vehicle once an emergency is perceived.vehicle once an emergency is perceived.
o Crash severity increases by the square ofCrash severity increases by the square of
the speed so that, when speed increasesthe speed so that, when speed increases
from 40 to 60 mph, speed goes up 50from 40 to 60 mph, speed goes up 50
percent while the energy released in apercent while the energy released in a
crash more than doubles.crash more than doubles.
o Higher crash speeds reduce the ability ofHigher crash speeds reduce the ability of
vehicles and restraint systems to protectvehicles and restraint systems to protect
occupants.occupants.
42% of vehicle fatalities in California are alcohol related42% of vehicle fatalities in California are alcohol related

6. Benefitsof
Benefitsof
ReducedSpeed
ReducedSpeed
o Reduces your chances for a speedingReduces your chances for a speeding
ticketticket
o Reduces your chances for getting into aReduces your chances for getting into a
serious accidentserious accident
o Because of reasons 1 and 2, you’re moreBecause of reasons 1 and 2, you’re more
likely to have lower insurance premiumslikely to have lower insurance premiums
o Reduces the wear and tear on your car,Reduces the wear and tear on your car,
helping it last longerhelping it last longer
o Better gas mileageBetter gas mileage
o Reduced emissions, better on theReduced emissions, better on the
environmentenvironment
There were 416,490 traffic collisions in California in 2010There were 416,490 traffic collisions in California in 2010
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationSource: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

7. Benefitsof
Benefitsof
ReducedSpeed
ReducedSpeed
o Reduces your chances for a speedingReduces your chances for a speeding
ticketticket
o Reduces your chances for getting into aReduces your chances for getting into a
serious accidentserious accident
o Because of reasons 1 and 2, you’re moreBecause of reasons 1 and 2, you’re more
likely to have lower insurance premiumslikely to have lower insurance premiums
o Reduces the wear and tear on your car,Reduces the wear and tear on your car,
helping it last longerhelping it last longer
o Better gas mileageBetter gas mileage
o Reduced emissions, better on theReduced emissions, better on the
environmentenvironment
There were 416,490 traffic collisions in California in 2010There were 416,490 traffic collisions in California in 2010
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationSource: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration