Some Louisiana Drivers Had Better Slow Down

Whereas across the country speeding accounts for 31 percent of total car accident fatalities, in Louisiana the number of people killed in speeding accidents represents 35 percent of all traffic fatalities. Of the 288 Louisiana motorists who died in 2009 (the latest published statistics available) in speeding-related accidents, 257 were killed on non-interstate roads, and 31 on interstates.
 
Speeding is a serious factor in car accidents. At a speed of 65 mph or greater, a crash is twice as likely to result in death than at a speed of 45 to 50 mph, and almost five times as likely as an accident at a speed of 40 mph or less.
 
Most drivers routinely exceed the posted speed limits by 5, 10 or even 15 miles. On Interstate highways, a 5 mph excess may not make a huge difference, but 15 mph will. Each time a driver exceeds the limit by 5 mph, the distance required to stop the vehicle increases by 44 feet! Exceeding the legal speed limit on non-interstate highways has even bigger consequences, as the above-mentioned statistics show. Rural and feeder roads are much narrower and crisscrossed by other roads and driveways. The probability of an unforeseen obstacle is much higher on such roads, and there usually is very little room to escape sudden hazards.
 
There are many other reasons why speeding has such a major impact on the severity of accidents. Speeding:

• Increases the risk of crashes because others do not adequately judge the time and distance available to them;
• Increases the distance traveled before the driver recognizes a hazard and reacts;
• Increases dramatically the distance required to stop on a wet surface or with worn tires or deficient brakes;
• Reduces the driver’s ability to maneuver in curves or around obstacles.

If you have been hurt in a car, truck or motorcycle accident caused by someone else, contact the New Orleans accident attorneys of the Young Firm for a FREE discussion of your case. Order now our FREE lawyer book, A Guide To Steering Through a Serious Vehicle Accident in Louisiana.