When running behind on schedule, it may seem that there is little harm in making up for your lost time by traveling a few miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Speeding is a type of driving behavior that remains a constant issue on California roads, and some drivers might not even be aware of what makes it so dangerous.
Unfortunately, drivers who exhibit such behavior might not always reach their destinations any faster, or even at all. Understanding how speeding affects your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle may help you prepare to avoid such behavior, but what happens if you cross paths with someone who does not share your enthusiasm for safety?
The risks involved
The presence of excessive speeding remains a contributing factor in far too many collisions, and crashes involving such negligence can carry disastrous repercussions. Some of the risks involved with speeding may include:
- Lack of control: Studies indicate that your ability to maintain control of a motor vehicle may diminish as speed increases. Losing control of a vehicle, even for a moment, could prove exceedingly hazardous.
- Driver response times: Excessive speeding also reduces driver response times and limits the ability to maintain constant awareness of surroundings, both of which could lead to a greater risk of the unthinkable.
- Braking and stopping distances: The speed at which a vehicle travels also affects braking and stopping distances. Driving at a proper speed could prove essential to allowing sufficient time to respond to changes in traffic patterns.
- Outcome of a crash: Studies also highlight the role speed plays in the severity of a crash, as the higher the speed a vehicle is moving at impact, the more deadly the outcome thereof might be.
Even if you choose to promote safety by maintaining a proper speed while driving, if you cross paths with a driver who fails to do the same, you might find it nearly impossible to avoid a potential disaster.
Speed-related collision
A speed-related collision can occur at virtually any given moment, and such an incident could pose a substantial threat to your safety. Suffering severe or life-changing injuries due to such negligence can be a difficult thing to accept, especially if it stems from the reckless behaviors of another party. The fallout of the crash may leave you facing numerous challenges in life and leave you in search of advice on your available options and next steps to take to pursue the restitution you deserve.