Speed and Accident Risk

A higher speed increases the likelihood of an accident. Very strong relationships have been established between speed and accident risk: The general relationship holds for all speeds and all roads, but the rate of increase in accident risk varies with initial speed level and road type. Large speed differences at a road also increase the likelihood of an accident. In addition, drivers driving much faster than the average driver have a higher accident risk; it is not yet evident that this is also the case for the slower driver. Many people have been injured or worse because of speeding. Some people go too fast that they go out of control. Some people also go too fast thinking that nothing is gonna go wrong. Some people go too fast that they crash. People who goes speeding also injures or kills people in their surroundings. 

The larger the speed differences are, the more the accidents. If on a particular road, the speed variance is high, this will result in less predictability, more encounters, more overtaking manoeuvres, etc. Therefore, when speed differences increase, the accident risk increases as well. Also, the faster driver has the higher accident rate. A number of studies looked at the risk of the individual driver in relation to speed. These studies compare the (estimated) speed of drivers who were involved in an accident with the average speed at that particular road.

Ways to Maintain Road Safety:

1.  Stop

• to look
• to listen
• to let the other car pass
• to let pedestrians cross
• to protect children on the road
• to save lives

2. Let us remember to make our roads safe for our children.

Young children find traffic frightening as there are too many things happening on the roads at the same time. They are, therefore, unable to cope as well as an adult would. Also, the eyes of a child are not yet fully developed so it is not easy for them to focus properly on all the action in the traffic environment.

3. Don’t let your friend drive drunk.

Arrive alive. Don’t’ drink and drive.

4.  Pedestrians, when using the road:

• Walk facing oncoming traffic
• Wear light-coloured clothing at nights
• Don’t assume the right-of-way at pedestrian crossings
• Walk in a single file where there is no sidewalk or where the sidewalk is narrow
• Clearly indicate to motorists and cyclists your desire to cross the road

5.  Motorists do not speed, always give yourself enough time and space to cope with what’s ahead. If you are speeding and an accident occurs, the impact is likely to cause great damage. Driving at a lower speed will reduce the severity of an accident.