Speeding

Whether it's driving too fast during inclement weather, exceeding the speed limit or racing -- speed is one of the most prevalent factors in traffic crashes today. It's a particularly serious local problem: 86 percent of all speed-related fatalities occur on non-Interstate roads. In 2004, speed contributed to 30 percent of all highway fatalities, took 13,192 lives and cost society an estimated $40.4 billion in crash-related expenses.

Earl Hardy is an expert on speeding and its role in traffic safety for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, where he's worked for nearly 10 years. Before joining NHTSA, Hardy served as a North Carolina state trooper.

Elizabeth Alicandri is the Director of the Office of Safety Programs at the Federal Highway Administration. She oversees multidisciplinary programs for the safe operations of roadways pertaining to engineering, enforcement and education.

The transcript follows.

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Elizabeth Alicandri: Hello and glad to be here. Hope everyone has some good questions lined up!

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Earl Hardy: Good morning! I'm glad to be here today, so, LET'S GET 'ER DONE!

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Washington, D.C.: It seems like EVERYBODY is driving faster than whatever the posted speed limit is, whether in subdivisions or interstates. Is speeding that big a deal anymore?

Elizabeth Alicandri: Your perception that speeding is pervasive is correct. Speed data collected by FHWA indicate that, on average, 70 percent of motorists are exceeding the posted speed limits on non-Interstates and over 50 percent on Interstates. Speeding is directly or indirectly involved in about one-third of all fatal collisions so yes, it is a big deal.

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Herndon, Va.: Not surprisingly, I'm having an argument with my wife about who speeds more. She says she only sees men speeding, and I'm pretty sure that most of the cars that blow past me are driven by women. Who's right?

Elizabeth Alicandri: It's a close call. According to a Gallup survey conducted in 2002, male and female were equally likely to report driving over the speed limit on Interstate highways (79 vs. 78 percent). However on local roads, females were less likely to speed (79 vs. 69 percent). Young drivers (16-29) are most likely to drive over the speed limit (80 percent) and those 65 and older are least likely (60 percent).

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Hyattsville, Md.: If speed-related incidents are a significant problem, can an agreement be worked out with the manufacturers to limit the speed of the vehicles? It may be a simple as limiting the display on the speedometer to the highest legal speed limit in the U.S. I see no reason why a speedometer can display 140 mph, but the car can never achieve that speed and is almost three times the speed limit.

Earl Hardy: Changing a speedometer display wouldn't address the primary issue: driver behavior.

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Alexandria, Va.: So, what do you think of the statistic that speed limits are set significantly below the safe speed as determined by the highway engineers? I feel more confident in the opinion of the people that actually designed the road than the bureaucrats setting lower limits to collect revenue

Elizabeth Alicandri: State lawmakers specify speed limits that generally apply for different types of roads. For example, 30 mph in urban areas, 55 in rural areas and 65 mph on Interstate freeways. However, traffic laws in most states allow but don't require highway agencies to raise or lower the limit on sections of a roadway as long as it's reasonable and safe to do. This is determined through a traffic engineering study. The study investigates factors like prevailing speed, roadside development, pedestrian activity, hidden hazards and crash history. Based on speed measurements, the speeds of reasonable drivers can be determined, excessive speed can be identified and speed limits can be locally adjusted.

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Laurel, Md.: I believe the statistics you report are misleading.

Perhaps speed is a "factor" in 30 percent of crashes, but it isn't the -- primary -- factor nearly that often. (How closely do drunk drivers adhere to the speed limit?)

Earl Hardy: Speeding is a contributing factor in 30 percent of fatal crashes.

In 2004, 40 percent of drivers with a .08 or higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared with only 15 percent of drivers with a BAC of .00.

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Fairfax, Va.: I've been driving for 40 years and the speeding has just gotten worse the last 10 years or so. Maybe it has to do with people feeling safer in cars, but it's just a given that if you're driving the speed limit, there are people zooming up behind you. Has the speeding problem gotten worse or am I just turning into my parents and complaining about it more?

Earl Hardy: I suspect that many people share your perception about the speeding problem getting worse. According to one federal study, 70 percent of motorists exceed the posted speed limit on non-Interstates. By comparison, about half of all drivers exceed the limit on Interstates.

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Washington, D.C.: So, what's the reality behind speeding cameras? Are they effective, or merely a way for the cash-starved District to balance its budget?

Earl Hardy: The use of automated speed enforcement devices is a local decision. However, studies show that photo-radar is an effective tool.

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Washington, D.C.: While we all know that speeding is dangerous, I think it annoys people most when speed limits are set too low for the road simply to increase state ticket revenue. An example I can think of is the 395 tunnel where not only is the speed limit 45mph, but there are speed cameras to catch you. Thanks for your thoughts.

Elizabeth Alicandri: In some cases there are hidden hazards that might not be obvious to driver. If you think that a speed limit is not appropriate, your local Department of Transportation is the best resource for you.

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Milwaukee, Wisc.: What is your opinion of left-lane vigilantes (the people who sit in the left lane and refuse to move to the right) and, do they also cause a lot of accidents?

Earl Hardy: The posted speed limit applies to all lanes. However, the left lane is generally considered the passing lane. Slower vehicles should move to the right, allowing other vehicles to pass safely.

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Astoria, New York: My problem is speed limits seem so arbitrary. I live in NYC, but come from Michigan and often make that long drive. One state will have a 60 mph speed limit, while the next 65, and in Michigan it's 70, yet the roads all seem the same. Why the difference in speed limits? It is for that reason that I generally drive 70 no matter what. I figure if its safe in Michigan on a similar quality road, then it should be safe in New Jersey, Penn or Ohio (understanding that you slow down in congested areas). Anyway, these differences for seemingly similar roads seem to contradict set speed limits. Your thoughts?

Elizabeth Alicandri: Each individual state is responsible for setting maximum speed limits in their state, even interstate highways.

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Richmond, Va.: Which is more dangerous -- speeding in an urban area or in a rural area?

Elizabeth Alicandri: Speeding is a problem everywhere and causes crashes everywhere. In 2003, 86 percent of speeding related fatalities were on non-rural interstate roads. This implies that a significant number of speed-related fatalities are on local roads and highways. Of course, we encourage drivers to be safe on all roads.

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Fairfax, Va.: It seems that speeding in this area is helped along by a combination of pent up frustration with constantly congested highways and the belief among many that driving is their right and they are much more important than everyone around them and must get where they are going first. Is this your experience or is it other factors altogether? Is there any hope that speeding on secondary roads can be controlled with something other that speed bumps and a traffic light on every corner timed improperly?

Earl Hardy: While congestion certainly leads to frustration, it's crucial that drivers keep their emotions in check. As to speeding on secondary roads, traffic calming can be effective. Automated enforcement also helps reduce speeding on local roads.

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Arlington, Va.: Do you analyze the speeding and accident data by time of day? It is my perception that many people are speeding at night and "out-driving" the range of their headlights, thereby increasing the chance of an accident.

Elizabeth Alicandri: Yes. The speeding related fatality rate is highest at night. Speeds are typically higher at night on urban roads but lower at night on rural roads.

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Arlington, Va.: Personally, I think that slow drivers, and if you're driving the speed limit and everyone else is speeding you're the slow driver, contribute mote to accidents by disrupting the traffic flow and creating a speed differential. Which even NHTSA says is a factor in accidents.

Earl Hardy: Research does show that speed differential can add to the likelihood of a crash.

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Clifton, Va.: Driving to fast for conditions kills not just simple speeding. I can cruise Route 66 at a 120mph in my M6 in light traffic without a problem. Should also mention that I currently hold FIA and SCA racing licenses and instruct for BMW car Club of America drivers schools. I have raced at Daytona, Sebring and Lemans. You can be going to fast at 15mph but not going too fast at 130mph. It depends. Most current speed enforcement laws are there for revenue generation not safety. I don't speed in residential areas, school zones and if it it raining out I am probably driving slower and at or below the posted speed limit. And most state and local law enforcement doesn't have a clue about car control or speed.

Earl Hardy: Racing experience does not give you license to disobey traffic laws. And, remember, not all drivers on the road have the same level of training and experience that you do.

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Earl Hardy: WOW! This was fun. Thanks for your questions.

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Elizabeth Alicandri: Thanks for all the issues you raised in our discussion today.

Drive, walk and bike safely as you head home!

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