The statistics don’t lie – excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of traffic crashes. As we kick off a new year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging all motorists to remember to obey the posted speed limits and to drive within their abilities.
In 2011, 30 percent of all fatal crashes were caused by speed-related factors – killing 479 people and injuring 72,536 more.
The Patrol urges drivers to remember that the higher the rate of speed, the greater the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. In 2011, the second leading cause of fatal crashes was improper lane change/improper passing/driving off the road – accounting for 13 percent of all fatal crashes.
“Excessive speed greatly reduces a driver’s ability to negotiate an unexpected curve, to stop within an assured clear distance ahead or to steer safely around a hazardous object. Speeding drivers put themselves, their passengers and other drivers at tremendous risk,” said Lt. Kevin Thomas, Defiance Post Commander.
Young drivers ages 16 to 25 caused 37 percent of the 124,948 speed-related traffic crashes in 2011. This same group of drivers received the most speeding citations – 29 percent of the total 289,554 speed citations issued by the Patrol. To view the entire statistical analysis visit http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov.
In 2012, the Patrol, in partnership with the Ohio High School Athletic Association, formed a teen driver safety program, called “You Are In Control.” The program aims to educate young drivers about the consequences of dangerous driving habits and to reinforce safety, responsibility and awareness that their lives are in their hands.
To learn more about the “You Are In Control” program, visit http://www.facebook.com/teendriversareincontrol.