The roads have been less congested during the COVID-19 pandemic, but speeding continues to be a deadly problem.
According to a report in Family Safety & Health, teen drivers are most likely to ignore speed limits. The report quotes the executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, who says the United States has a “speeding problem” that has only gotten worse during the pandemic.
Our experienced attorneys know that high-speed car accidents happen far too often in Connecticut and across the United States.
How to reduce accidents caused by speeding
The GHSA report lists several approaches that can help tackle the problem of teen speeding, including the following:
- Parents: If you have a teenage driver in your household, you can consider approaches such as in-vehicle driver monitoring. Smartphone apps that keep tabs on a teen’s driving behavior are also available. Note: the apps can be used without the driver having to use the mobile device behind the wheel. Parents also should serve as driving role models and avoid dangerous behind-the-wheel habits like speeding or texting and driving.
- Friends of teens: Drivers can also learn safe habits from their friends in addition to parents. The GHSA offers a downloadable peer-to-peer teen traffic safety program guide. The GHSA states that “peer-to-peer traffic safety programs are an important part of a broader strategy for preventing teen driver crashes and the resulting injuries and fatalities.”
- Speed limits and enforcement: Police officers should not target drivers by age but can beef up enforcement of speed limits, especially in areas where a higher-than-usual number of accidents involving teens have occurred.
The GHSA makes the following recommendations to curb speeding among teen drivers:
- Educate elected officials and the media
- Promote adoption by states of driving training programs
- Advocate graduated driver licensing laws, which allow teens to gain experience before obtaining full driving privileges
What to do if you’re injured in a car accident caused by speeding
Speeding remains a top factor in car accidents. While the GHSA report reveals a rise in teen speeding accidents, motorists of all ages have made reckless choices when it comes to driving over the speed limit. Unfortunately, those decisions can have tragic consequences.
If you or a loved one was injured in a speeding accident, you may face a difficult road to recovery. Accidents can lead to a range of serious injuries, from concussions and traumatic brain injuries to broken bones and spinal cord damage. Insurance companies for at-fault drivers often downplay the seriousness of the case. They may make a quick settlement offer. But the reality is, victims often need and are entitled to far more compensation than the insurance company is offering.
That’s why you need an experienced attorney on your side to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli for a free consultation. Our knowledgeable attorneys put experience and resources to work for clients, and we fight aggressively to maximize compensation. Contact us today. Best of all, you pay no fees unless we win.