Speed Data Sheet

Speed

Fatalities associated with illegal or unsafe speed continue to climb, reaching 384 in 2006 - a 9.9% increase over 2000.

The number of illegal or unsafe fatal speed-related crashes has not demonstrated a downward trend over the past seven years, reaching a high of 342 in 2006 (16.7% increase over 2000).

Furthermore, when controlling for vehicle-miles-traveled the speed-related crash fatality rate has continued to increase as has the percentage of all fatal crashes associated with speed (21.9%).

Excluding the category of “Others”, illegal or unsafe speed is the second most prevalent contributing factor (behind ‘Driver Lost Control’) for fatal crashes by licensed driver rate (Chart Below).

A recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Study indicates that 27% of passenger vehicles on Atlanta suburban/rural interstates exceed the 65 mph speed limit by 10 mph; 8% by 15 mph. Similar results were found with respect to urban Atlanta interstates. (IIHS, January, 2008)

Nationwide, speed is associated with 30.2% of fatal crashes, ranging from 6.7% in Florida to over 50% in Maine (NHTSA, 2005 Data). Due to the subjective nature of crash reports, many speed-related fatal crashes are likely to be unreported.

An age distribution of drivers in speed-related crashes show a clear peak in the late teens with a gradual decline as one gets older (See Chart Below).