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Speeding: The Deadly Statistics

Posted on August 1, 2022

The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has launched the Speeding Wrecks Lives campaign to remind people of the deadly consequences that can result from driving too fast. The campaign, currently running on TV, radio and online, aims to save lives by changing dangerous driving behaviors.

Speeding-related crashes killed 11,258 people in 2020. Speeding was a factor in 29% of all fatal crashes and contributed to 37% of deadly crashes in work zones. Most fatal speeding accidents, 87%, occurred on local roads, not interstates. Wet roads played a role, with more fatal speeding crashes than dry roads. Speeding and drinking combined for the deadliest combination, 37% of speeding drivers had a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more.

While there were fewer cars on the road during the pandemic, that did not reduce incidents of speeding. Speeding-related deaths increased 17% from 2019 to 2020.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in the Philadelphia region, or a loved one is the victim of a traffic fatality, consult with an attorney with experience in motor vehicle accidents to better understand your legal rights.