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NBC Nightly News reported on April 30, 2018 that drivers are demanding faster traffic flow even while roughly 40,000 people died on our nation’s roadways in 2017. There are 41 states which allow speeds above 65 miles per hour (mph), and it has been found that as the speed limit increases so does the potential for more accidents and fatalities.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently conducted a study of statistics between 1993 and 2013 examining the impact of maximum speed limit increases in the 41 states allowing speeds above 65 mph. Researchers studied traffic deaths per billion miles traveled by the type of road and the state in which they were located. IIHS found that every 5 mph maximum speed limit increase caused a 4 percent increase in the fatality rate. On freeways and interstates, the fatality rate rose even higher to 8 percent, the roadways which were most impacted by speed limit increases. 

A 2017 study by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that: 

• In 31 percent of all traffic fatalities, a vehicle’s speed was a factor.
• 77 percent of speeding-related crashes involve speeding passenger vehicles.
• Higher vehicle speeds increase the injury severity of a crash. 

How many states have increased their speed limits? 

Since the passage of the National Highway Designation Act (NHDA) in 1995 removing all federal speed limit controls, states are now allowed to raise or lower its speed limits as they wish. 41 states have set speed limits of 70 mph or higher on some portion of their roadways. 6 states have an interstate speed limit of 80 mph, and in Texas some roadways have a speed limit of 85 mph. 

Proponents and opponents 

There are proponents and opponents to raising speed limits. 

Proponents of raising the speed limit, according to John Bowman, spokesperson for the National Motorists Association, often argue that such increases simply bring the law in line with reality, since most drivers exceed the limit. Speed limits almost always increase simply because they were artificially set too low to begin with. When limits are set at the correct levels, the traffic flow evens out and accidents tend to decrease. 

Opponents say that crashes are more deadly as speeds increase. In addition, most drivers treat maximum speeds as a minimum target. Past research has shown that as posted speed limits are raised, drivers will exceed these limits, and more fatal crashes will result. 

GHSA (Governor’s Highway Safety Association) says that rather than increase speed limits, it encourages states and communities to vigorously enforce existing speed limits through both traditional means using police officers to detect violations and by the judicious use of speed cameras, which have been proven effective at reducing speeds and crashes. 

“Since driving at higher speeds increases the risks of accidents, we urge everyone to obey the posted speed limits on our roads and highways. Should you or a loved one be injured in a vehicle accident, we are available 24/7 to assist you,” said Randall Spivey, Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney.

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.