There are many causes of car accidents in New Mexico, but among them, speeding is the major culprit. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration found that more than 25% of all fatal crashes on the road occur because of speeding, which is quite shocking because driving fast above the speed limit is a choice someone elects to make. Here’s what you need to know about speeding as a leading cause of car accidents and its consequences.
What is speeding?
You can define speeding as simply driving above the set speed limit. However, it goes beyond that. The weather conditions also change what you know about speeding. You could be driving under the legal speed limit, but you are still driving too fast for safety.
For example, when it is raining in New Mexico, driving at 55 miles per hour could lead to catastrophic motor vehicle accidents. The same speed on a clear, sunny day may be appropriate and recommended. Other conditions that affect speed include poorly maintained roads, sun glare, fog or smog, animals that cross the road and debris.
Why would someone speed?
Drivers may see caution that speeding is catastrophic and they should avoid it for their own safety and that of others, yet people still continue to speed. While there is nothing that can justify going too fast on the road, most people do it because of:
- Tardiness
- Adrenaline
- Inexperience
- Bad habits
- Drugs or alcohol
Dangers of speeding
When you are on the road, anything can happen. Sometimes, you may need to make split-second decisions, like when a child runs into the streets out of nowhere. Drivers who speed are less able to make quick decisions for unexpected hazards.
For you to stop your car unexpectedly, two things must happen: First, your brain needs to tell you that you need to stop and your body to respond, and secondly, the car will take its time to stop. At high speeds, even if you think fast, your car will take longer to stop because of inertia.
Speeding can lead to crashes that cause serious injuries and sometimes death. Obeying traffic laws and common sense for weather conditions can help prevent car accidents.
