Government Cracks Down on Speeding

There is something exhilarating about skillfully guiding a modern automobile along an open roadway at high speed. After all, speeding seems to be a minor sin to most drivers, in light of other, more dangerous driver errors. In fact, some view the right to violate the speed limit as a constitutional freedom, and speed limits are only accepted as arbitrary suggestions. But, a new study from the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) suggests that speeding is a serious concern, and it recommends drastic governmental action.

Speeding is Actually a Serious Problem

Although speeding and speed limits are mainly ignored by most drivers, NTSB researchers now realize that they have underestimated just how serious a factor speeding is in fatal accidents. This news comes even after 2015 statistics show speeding as a factor in traffic deaths (9,557) at comparable rates to not wearing seat belts (9,874) and alcohol use (9,306).

Drinking and driving and alcohol use have both warranted special nation-wide campaigns and laws to promote awareness and educate the driving public about such dangerous behavior. Speeding, however, has almost fallen into a class of ‘white’ law violation that is overlooked or ignored. In light of the serious nature of speeding and its consequences highlighted in the statistics stated above, this will no longer be the case.

Recommended Measures to Combat Speeding

In their new report, the NTSB has recommended increasing measures to catch and punish speeders, some of which are more than a bit controversial. Among the most debated are speed cameras at intersections and along roadways. These cameras are very unpopular with citizens and cause sharp debate among state lawmakers. Currently, seven states ban speed cameras, 15 place restrictions on their use, and 28 have no laws concerning their use. In total, 142 jurisdictions across 14 states and the District of Columbia use speed cameras to combat speeding.

Other measures include regulating lower speed limits, redesigning roadways for better traffic flow, and even point-to-point speed measurement to catch and punish speeding motorists. This last measure is used in Austrailia but not in the United States, at least not yet. In this program, vehicles are automatically timed between designated points on the road to ascertain if they are violating the speed limit. If so, a nearby law enforcement officer is notified in order to stop the offending driver and issue a citation.

Local Accident Attorneys

Speeding is a serious issue, a violation of the trust of other motorists. When speeding drivers cause accidents, their victims’ lives are changed forever. As an accident victim, you have the right to obtain compensation for your injuries and damaged property. If you or a loved one were involved in an accident where a speeding driver was at fault, contact us right away. Accident victims needing legal representation in eastern Oklahoma, Tulsa or McAlester can find a friendly and compassionate advocate at Edwards and Patterson Law. Our experienced attorneys will assess and react to your particular claims quickly in order to collect and preserve any evidence needed for your defense. We can represent your rights before the court to ensure you receive a fair hearing and adequate defense. Call 877-403-8417 or contact us online for a free consultation today.