Yes, speeding is fun. But it should never be done on a public road.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a simple yet effective campaign to educate American road users about the dangers of speeding.
We know that too many people are dying on our roads every year. Despite this, some of us continue to drive over the speed limit, as we believe (somewhat naively) that accidents only happen to other people. The statistics are startling, though. According to the NHTSA, more than 12,000 people died in speeding-related crashes in 2021. That represents an 8% increase over 2020.
24% of drivers aged between 18 and 44 and involved in fatal accidents were speeding, with data showing that young men are the most likely to be speeding when connected to deadly crashes. In 2021, 31% of male drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 killed in accidents were speeding. That figure rises to 35% for the 15 – 20 age group.
But statistics are just numbers, and most people don't respond to that. People respond better to visuals, representing what could happen if you get it wrong while speeding. As such, the NHTSA has launched a video (above) that shows the dangers of exceeding the speed limit.
The first two scenarios depict drivers exceeding the speed limit and having severe accidents. Both vehicles in the clip are damaged beyond repair, so you can only imagine the driver sustained severe injuries or worse. But even this may not be a deterrent. However, the third scenario shows how going over the posted limit – even by a little – can affect someone else's life.
“This guy was a little over the speed limit,” says the voice-over, as we see a younger male traveling through a suburb. The screen goes black and cuts to an injured young girl in a hospital bed. “Look at the damage,” concludes the voiceover.
Most of us are aware of the dangers of speeding. No matter how skilled you think you are, one has to remember that it takes longer to react to impending obstacles at speed. Also, braking distances are longer (even with ABS) when traveling at high speeds, which puts other road users and pedestrians at greater risk.
Recently, the IIHS released findings from a study that showed drivers of high-performance muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang are most likely to die in a car crash. Not only are muscle car drivers at risk, but they're also more likely to be involved in a collision where the other driver is also killed.
The NHTSA believes this has to do with marketing, among other reasons. These vehicles appeal to the speed demons in us, who desire performance and excitement. As gearheads, we all crave the sweet thrill of speed. But there's a time and place for it.
Keyword: Watch: NHTSA's Latest Anti-Speed Campaign Is Simple Yet Effective