Of all the traffic fatalities that occurred in 2018, 26% were in some way connected to speeding. A total of 9,378 people died in speeding-related crashes that year, or an average of 25 per day in Illinois and across the U.S. This reflects a steady decrease from 2010 when 32% of such fatalities were due to speeding.
Younger drivers more likely to speed
In 2018, 30% of male drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 were found to be speeding at the time of a fatal crash. For female drivers in the same age group, the percentage came to 18%. Drivers 21 to 24 years of age were the second most prominent age group: 29% of men and 14% of women were in speeding-related crashes. The percentages went down with age so that only 8% of men 75 and older (4% for women) had been involved in such crashes.
Speeding crashes and road conditions
Speeding becomes more or less prominent depending on road conditions. So, for instance, in 45% of the crashes in 2018 that were on muddy, dirty or gravelly roads, unsafe speed was a factor. This was also the case with 41% of crashes on icy or frosty roads. Conversely, speeding was behind 16% of crashes on dry roads. Lastly, alcohol intoxication would often go hand in hand with speeding, especially among those aged 25 to 44 (42%) and 55 to 64 (32%).
Legal guidance for crash victims
Speeding and traveling too fast for weather or road conditions are just two forms of negligence. Victims of motor vehicle accidents who believe the other side was negligent may be able to file a claim against the responsible driver’s auto insurance company. That way, they may be compensated for their monetary and nonmonetary losses. You may want a lawyer to guide you through each step and, in particular, negotiate in your stead.