In 2016, nearly one third of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. were caused by speeding drivers according to statistics by the National Safety Council.
Going above the posted speed limit is not only dangerous for the driver but also dangerous for everyone else on the road including, passengers, pedestrians and bike riders.
“There is no question that excessive speed is attributable to the occurrence and severity of crashes,” said Anthony Prinz, transportation services director with the city of Jacksonville’s Transportation Services Department.
“When drivers exceed the posted speed limit, they operate their vehicle beyond designed capabilities of the roadway.”
Roadways like Wilson Boulevard aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune are given a speed limit based on their design.
“When designed, the characteristics of a roadway are developed with a certain speed in mind,” said Prinz. “Initially, when a new road is opened, the posted speed aligns with the designed speed. However, after a new road operates for a period of time, a speed study is necessary to determine if the speed limit should be changed. In the case of Wilson Boulevard, our study reflected that the posted 45 mph limit was too low and an increase to 55 mph was warranted.”
Although the speed limit has increased, going faster than the posted limit can result in injuries, paralysis and even death.
“I have seen my fair share of mangled bodies and broken hearted family members when they come to the scene of a crash,” said Timothy Akers, supervisor safety and Occupational health specialist, Marine Corps Installations East, MCB Camp Lejeune. “They have to receive the message that their son, daughter, mother or father was killed from a speeding driver. The root cause of the death was due to excessive speed prior and at impact.”
Driving recklessly and speeding will not only put you and others in harm’s way but will also lead to other consequences.
“Speeding is not the answer. If a person is late for whatever reason, driving aggressively which includes speeding, and without due regard for yourself or others will cost you a potential crash, personal injuries, property damage, citation, court cost, time away from work, insurance points, driver’s license points and a possible base suspension,” said Akers.
| Date Taken: |
11.16.2017 |
| Date Posted: |
11.20.2017 11:31 |
| Story ID: |
255953 |
| Location: |
CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: |
130 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Perceived benefits of speeding don’t outweigh risks, by Sgt Nicholas Lubchenko, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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