# Presentation: 920419

## Speeding: Who, When, WhereRichard P. ComptonDirectorOffice of Research and TechnologyNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration

**June 15, 2005**

## Overview and Data Sources

**Speeding-Related Fatal Crashes**
**Data: FARS 1983-2003**
**Analyses:**
**Number, Percent, Rates**
**Where, When, Who**
**Self-Reported Attitudes and Behaviors**
**Data: NHTSA Survey 2002**

## Definition

**NHTSA considers a crash to be speeding-related if:**
**Driver ****charged**** with a speeding-related offense, or**
**Officer indicated that ****racing****, ****driving too fast for conditions****, or ****exceeding the posted speed**** was ****a contributing factor**** in the crash**

## Facts

**Speeding is one of the most prevalent contributing factors to traffic crashes**
**12%**** of all Reported Crashes (2003)**
**31%**** of all Fatal Crashes (2003)**
**13,380**** lives lost in speeding-related crashes (2003)**
**$40.4**** Billion per Year**

## Speeding-Related Fatalities (1983-2003)

**Source: FARS Final 1983 – 2002, 2003 ARF**

**Notes:**
This slide shows the trend in Speeding-Related Fatalities.

After reaching a high of 16,947 fatalities in 1986, speeding-related fatalities declined to a low of 12,592 in 1993, and thereafter maintained a relatively constant trend up to 2000.  

Since 2000, the number of speeding-related fatalities has been increasing every year, with a small dip in 2003.

## Speeding-Related Fatalities as Percent of Total Fatalities (1983-2003)

**Source: FARS 1983 – 2003**

**Notes:**
This slide shows the trend in Speeding-Related Fatalities as a percentage of total fatalities.

After reaching a high of 36.8 percent in 1986, speeding-related fatalities as a percent of all fatalities declined to a low of 29.9 percent in 2000.

Since 2000, up to 2002, as total fatalities increased, the percent speeding-related has also increased, indicating that the rate of increase in speeding-related fatalities is more than the rate of increase in total fatalities.

## Fatal Crashes by Speeding Status (1983 – 2003)

- FARS 1993- 2003

**Notes:**
This slide shows the number of fatal crashes that were speeding-related and not speeding-related.

During this time period speeding-related crashes peaked in the mid-1980s, declined in the early 1990’s, and since 2000, have been on the increase.

## Speeding-Related Fatalities by Roadway Type (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
Here we see Speeding-Related Fatalities by Roadway Type.

Interstate:	1823
Arterial:	5158
Collector:	3181
Local:	3030

Clearly the largest number of fatalities occur on the Arterial roads, followed by Collectors and Local roads, with Interstate highways having the fewest fatalities.

## Speeding Fatality Rate by Roadway Type (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
This slide shows the Speeding Fatality Rate per 100M VMT by Roadway Type.

The Speeding Fatality Rate on Local and Collector roads is nearly three times that on Interstates.

Interstate:	.26
Arterial:	.37
Collector:	.76
Local:	.80

Much of the public concern about speeding has been focused on high-speed Interstates. The Interstate System, however, actually has the best safety record of all roads and the lowest speeding fatality rate. Almost 50 percent of speeding-related fatalities occur on lower speed collector and local roads, which carry less than 30 percent of the total vehicle miles traveled in the United States. 

## Speeding Drivers in Fatal Crashes by Age and Gender (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
This slide shows the Percent of Drivers in Fatal Crashes who were Speeding by Age and Gender.

At all ages a greater percentage of males speed than females.

A greater percentage of younger drivers speed, and this declines steadily with age.

In, 2003, 39 percent of the male drivers 15 to 20 years old who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash.

## Percentage of Speeding Drivers by BAC Level (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
Alcohol and Speeding are clearly a deadly combination.  Alcohol involvement is prevalent for drivers involved in speeding-related crashes.

In 2003, 41 percent of the drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared with only 14 percent of the drivers with a BAC of .00 involved in fatal crashes.

Approximately 30 percent of drivers with a BAC between .01-.07 involved in fatal crashes were speeding.

## Percent BAC 0.08+ by Speeding and Age (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
Looking at the relationship of alcohol, age, and speeding we see that in 2003:

28 percent of speeding drivers under 21 years old who were involved in fatal crashes also had a BAC of .08 or higher.

In contrast, only 13 percent of nonspeeding drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes had a BAC of.08 or higher.

For drivers between 21 and 24 years of age, 50% of speeding drivers had a BAC of .08+, compared with only 24% of nonspeeding drivers.

## Drivers Alcohol Involvement, Speeding Status and Time of Day (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
For both speeding and nonspeeding drivers involved in fatal crashes, the percentage of those who had been drinking, with a BAC of .01 or higher, at the time of the crash was higher at night than during the day.

Between midnight and 3 am, 78% of speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking.

Between 9 am and noon, 16% of speeding drivers had been drinking.

## Percent Restraint Use by Speeding and Age (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
Looking at the use of safety belts, age, and speeding we see that in 2003:

46% of speeding drivers under 21 years old who were involved in fatal crashes were wearing safety belts at the time of the crash.

In comparison, 67% of nonspeeding drivers under 21 years old were restrained.

For drivers 21 years and older, the percentage of speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes who were using their safety belts at the time of the crash was 43%, but 71% of nonspeeding drivers were restrained.

## Percentage of Speeding Drivers by Roadway Alignment (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
Looking at the relationship between speeding and roadway alignment, we see that:

About 61% of fatal crashes that occurred on straight sections of roadway were Speeding-Related, compared to 80% Nonspeeding related crashes.  Of course, straight roadway segments include many intersection crashes.

Of fatal crashes occurring on curves, nearly twice as many crashes are Speeding-Related than Nonspeeding.  (39% vs 19%)

## Speeding-Related Fatalities by Day of Week (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
This chart shows the relationship between Speeding-Related Fatalities and Day of Week.

There are a larger percentage of Speeding-Related Fatalities on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, than the other days. 
There is very little difference in Speeding-Related Fatalities among the other week days.

M – 1568
T   - 1464
W -  1450
The – 1574
F   -  2115
Sa -  2756
Su -  2473

## Percentage of Speeding Drivers by Day of Week (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
The relative proportion of Speeding-Related fatalities is clearly higher on weekends (35%) than on weekdays (28%).

## Percent Speeding Drivers by Time of Day (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
Looking at Time of Day we see that the percentage of fatal crashes involving speeding drivers increases from early morning throughout the day, peaking at midnight to 3 am (36%).

6-9 am:	16%
9-12am:	15%
12-3pm:	15%
3-6pm:	16%
6-9pm:	21%
9-12pm:	27%
12-3am:	35%
3-6am:	28%

## Percent Speeding by Vehicle Type (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
Looking at Speeding by Vehicle Type we see that

23% of Passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes were speeding
19% of Light Trucks
36% of Motorcycles
7.5% of Large Trucks

## Trend in Percent Speeding by Vehicle Type (1983-2003)

**Notes:**
Here is the trend in Percent of Fatal Crashes involving speeding by Vehicle Type.

MC Operators have the highest proportion speeding.  The  percentage has been gradually decreasing from a high of 47% in 1987 to 38% in 2002.

MC Operators involved in fatal crashes were about twice as likely as drivers of SUVs and Pickup Trucks to be speeding in 2002.

Passenger Cars and Light Trucks have a similar trend in percentage speeding.

Large Trucks and Vans have the lowest

## Percent Speeding by Roadway Conditions (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
Not surprisingly, the Percentage of Vehicles involved in fatal crashes that were speeding shows a strong relationship to Roadway Conditions.

Dry Roads:        29%
Wet Roads:	      34%
Snow or Slush:  52%
Icy Roads:	     58%

## Speeding-Related Fatalities by Speed Limit (2003)

**Source: FARS 2003**

**Notes:**
When one looks at the number of Speeding-Related Fatalities by Posted Speed Limit, we see that the number of fatalities that speeding related are highest on roads posted at 50 mph or below.

50 mph or Below:       6,114 Fatalities or 46%
55 mph Roads:           4,071 Fatalities or 30%
60-65 mph:	               1,944 Fatalities or 14%
Above 65 mph:              898 Fatalities or  7%

## Public Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Speeding

**NHTSA conducted a study of the driving public’s attitudes and behaviors regarding speeding**
**1997**
**2002**
**Characteristics of drivers who speed and commit other unsafe driving actions**

## Purpose

**Obtain public views on unsafe driving actions**
**Covered attitudes toward speeding, unsafe and aggressive driving**
**Conditions associated with speeding and unsafe driving**
**Support for various different types of countermeasures**

## Approach

**Nationally representative telephone survey**
**4,010 drivers 16 years old and older**
**February 4 – April 14, 2002**

## Self-Reported Speeding Behavior by Roadway Type

**QUESTION:  **
**  ****When was the last time you drove over the speed limit on a: **
**- Multi-lane interstate highway**
**- Two-lane road**
**- City,town or neighborhood street**
**- Non-interstate multi-lane road**
**RESPONSE:**
**- Today****	****	****	****- Within past week**
**- With past month****	****- Within past year**
**- Never**

## Self-Reported Speeding Behavior by Roadway Type

**Source: National Survey 2002**

**Notes:**
Most drivers, about three quarters report they drove over the speed limit on all types of roads within the past month, and one-quarter or more reported speeding over the limit on the day of the interview.

Interstate:		         78% past month	25% today
Two-lane Road:	         78% past month	31% today
City, town or neighborhood:    73% past month	33% today
Non-interstate multi-lane road:  83%past month	31% today

## Frequency and Type of Self-Reported Speeding Behavior

**QUESTION:**
**    ****How often do you: **
**- Drive 10 mph over the posted limit on an multi-lane interstate highway?**
**- Drive 20 mph over the posted limit on an multi-lane interstate highway? **
**- Drive 10 mph faster than most other vehicles?**
**- Drive 20 mph faster than most other vehicles?**
**RESPONSE:**
**- Often****	****	****	****- Sometimes**
**- Occasionally****	****	****- Rarely**
**- Never**

## Frequency of Speeding Behaviors

**34%**

**12%**

**51%**

**10%**

**Source: National Survey 2002**

**Notes:**
Slightly over one-half (51%) of drivers say they sometimes (29%) or often (22%) drive 10 MPH over posted speed limits on interstate highways.

12% report driving 20 MPH over posted limits on interstate highways.

Some 34% report driving 10 mph faster than most other vehicles

While 10% report driving 20 mph faster than most other vehicles

## Frequency of Speeding Behaviors by Gender

**Source: National Survey 2002**

**Notes:**
Male drivers (54%) are slightly more likely to report speeding behavior than females (48%).

Drive 10 mph over posted speed limit on interstate:  M – 54%
				  F  - 48%

Drive 20 mph over posted speed limit on interstate:  M – 14%
				  F   - 10%

Drive 10 mph faster than most other vehicles:	  M - 34%
				  F   - 32%

Drive 20 mph faster than most other vehicles:	  M - 13%
				  F   -   8%

## Frequency of Speeding Behaviors by Age

**Source: National Survey 2002**

**Notes:**
Not surprisingly, younger drivers report speeding more often than older drivers.

The frequency of self-reported speeding declines with age.

## Frequency of Speeding Behaviors by Age

**Source: National Survey 2002**

## Threat of Others Speeding by Gender

**QUESTION: In your opinion, how much of a threat is it to the personal safety of you and your family if other drivers are speeding?**
**RRESPONSES:**
**Major threat****	****- Minor threat**
**No threat**

## Threat of Others Speeding by Gender

**98% **

**97%**

**98%**

**Source: National Survey 2002**

**Notes:**
Although most drivers report speeding at least occasionally, more than two-thirds (68%) feel that speeding by others is a major threat to themselves and their family.

Females (75%) are more likely to see speeding as a major personal threat than males (60%).

## Threat of Others Speeding by Age

**98% **

**97%**

**98%**

**98%**

**98%**

**Source: National Survey 2002**

**Notes:**
The perception of speeding by others as a major personal threat increases steadily with age, from 45% among 16-20 year olds up to 86% among those 65 or older.

## Summary

**Speeding-Related Fatal Crashes:**
**Roadway Type:**
**Arterial, Collector, Local **
**Roadway Alignment:**
**Curves**
**Age:**
**Young**

## Summary

**Gender:**
**Male **
**Alcohol:**
**Increases with BAC**
**Young males**
**Late night**
**Restraint Use:**
**Low**

## Summary

**Day of Week:**
**Weekends**
**Time of Day:**
**Late night**
**Vehicle Type:**
**Motorcycles**
**Passenger cars**

## Summary

**Speed Limit:**
**50 mph and below**
**Roadway Conditions:**
**Icy, snow/slush, wet**

## Questions?

## Slide 41