Speed is involved in about one out of three fatal crashes; to which more than 13,000 lives are lost each year, according to the NHTSA.
One of the most important factors in road safety is driving speed. Not only does speed affect the severity of the crash, but it’s also related to the risk of being involved in a crash. Within three weeks, two well-known celebrities, known by many lost their lives in speeding accidents.
On November 18, 2013. former NFL linebacker Thomas Howard died following a high-speed car crash on a freeway in Oakland. According to the coroner’s office, Howard, 30, was one of two men that died in the fatal crash. Howard was driving a speeding BMW when he struck a big rig, flipped over the center divider and crashed head-on into a Honda that was traveling on the other side of the road. Witnesses allege the car was traveling at speeds between 100 to 110 mph.
In another tragic accident, actor Paul Walker, 40, was killed in a speeding crash on Saturday along with Roger Rodas, the owner of several racing companies. While all the details are not yet available, Walker was a passenger in the crash and speed has been indicated as a factor in the solo collision.
Many people are mourning the star for his death while others have been outraged that his death is receiving more media coverage because he was famous. But, the unfortunate truth is thousands of lives are lost each year in accidents that involve speeding. Below are some tips that drivers should keep in mind while navigating the busy highways to ensure their safety as well as others on the road.
Drive Safely
First and foremost abide by posted speeding limits
If someone is trying to pass you, don’t speed up
Slow down when taking a turn
Slow down on uneven, icy, wet, and/or snowy roads
Increase following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you
People often think of highways as a major factor for speeding fatalities, perhaps because speeds are highest on highways. But the vast majority of speeding-related fatalities happen on roads that are not interstate highways.
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