348 people died in 2014 as a result of speeding in the state and with Illinois Speed Awareness Day this Wednesday, Illinois State Police District 12 is taking extra efforts to promote safety for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists though education and law enforcement. According to the ISP, awareness of how speeding, particularly on the interstate, impacts a crash can save lives.
- The probability of death, disfigurement, or debilitating injury grows with higher speed at impact. Such consequences double for every 10 MPH over 50 MPH.
- When a vehicle crashes it undergoes a rapid change in speed. However the occupants keep moving at the vehicle’s previous speed until they are stopped, either by hitting an object or by being restrained by a safety belt or airbag.
- The effectiveness of restraint devices like airbags, safety belts, crumple zones, and side beams decline as impact speed increases.
- 4% of the speed-related crashes result in injuries.
- Speeding extends the distance required to stop a vehicle in emergency situations.
- Crash severity increases with the speed of the vehicle at impact.
- Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to navigate safely around curves or objects in the roadway.
- Speeding can lower gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds.
More information on Illinois Speed Awareness Day can be found here!