Speeding is so common that numerous advocacy groups, state and federal agencies, and private enterprises track speeding and the resulting effects annually. These statistics are likely understated and under-reported because it is difficult to definitely conclude a vehicle's speed prior to a crash.
As a result, statistics are based on traffic tickets issued for exceeding the speed limit, tickets issued for traveling too fast for conditions, witness testimony, and the self-reporting of drivers.
Speed is a Factor in One-Third of Fatal Accidents
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that since 2003, speeding has been a factor in about one-third of all fatal traffic accidents. In 2012 alone, speeding was present in approximately 30 percent of the fatal accidents across the United States and was a factor in 10,219 deaths.
While most people associate highways and expressways as the locations most likely to harbor speeding, statistics portray a different picture. Minor roads like city streets were the site of the majority of speeding accidents and speeding deaths in 2012. Then expressways and interstates, and finally other major roads.
Speeding Accidents Are Costly and Deadly
On average, the National Safety Council reports that speeding causes more than 13,000 deaths every year. Further, speeding accidents cost Americans more than $40 billion annually.
Speeding is particularly problematic in areas with short distance speed restrictions. For example, school zones and construction zones. In fact, some estimates put speeding to blame in 1 out of 4 accidents that occur in construction zones.
The average American speeding driver is male and male speeders are more likely to get in car accidents than females. Of males ages 15 through 20 who were in fatal collisions, 39 percent of them were speeding.
These statistics may represent a "typical" speeder. However, it is important to remember that motorists who drive too fast can be found among every type of driver. Gender, age, and experience will never guarantee that a driver will operate within the speed limit.