driving too fast for conditions

DRIVING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS

A Collision Countermeasures Presentation

Copyright SafetyFirst 2007

Statistics• “Crash severity increases based

on the speed at impact. Chances of death or serious injury double for every 10 mph over 50 mph a vehicle travels.”

– National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)


Statistics• “The economic cost to society of

speeding-related crashes is estimated by NHTSA to be $40.4 billion per year.



Statistics• Speeding…

–reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway,

–extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and

–increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation.



Speed increases the potential for having an accident for two specific reasons:

1. As a vehicle travels faster, more time is needed to safely control and complete any turn, swerve or stop.

(You need more time)


Speed increases the potential for having an accident for two specific reasons:

2. Greater speed significantly reduces the time available to view and judge the situation, and decide what action to take.

(You have less time)


How Fast Can You Stop? • The total distance required to stop

your vehicle can be determined by applying some mathematics.


How Fast Can You Stop? • First, it takes time for every driver

to recognize that they need to stop • Second, it takes time to physically

react and move your foot to the brake.

We can measure these times accurately, and they don’t vary much

from person to person


How Fast Can You Stop? • Recognition of a problem usually

takes a minimum of ¾ seconds• It usually takes at least

another ¾ seconds to engage the brake.


How Fast Can You Stop? • During this one and half seconds,

a vehicle traveling at 60MPH will cover 128 feet.

This distance is covered before the vehicle begins

to slow down!


How Fast Can You Stop? • The actual distance required to

stop your vehicle depends on it’s size, the condition of your brakes and tires, and the condition of the road itself.


How Fast Can You Stop? • Also, wet roads lengthen stopping

distance as your wheels can lift off of the road while skidding (i.e. hydroplane).


What is a Safe Speed to Drive? • The posted speed limit should be

considered the maximum safe speed under ideal conditions (light or no traffic, sunny, clear daytime lighting, etc.)

• However, there will be times when a slower speed is better.


What is a Safe Speed to Drive?• “Conditions” affecting your ability

to drive safely at “normal” speeds include many issues:

Poor visibility conditions that give you less time to spot and react to

problems (i.e. twilight hours, fog, heavy rain, etc.)




Poor weather that increases your stopping distance, or decreases

control of steering (wet or icy roads)




Construction zones or merge zones where lanes are narrow or

road conditions are poor




The presence of many pedestrians who may step in

front of your vehicle unexpectedly




Extra heavy traffic (i.e. “bumper to bumper”) where following distances are too close for

comfort




Areas where there are view blocks and cross traffic


What is a Safe Speed to Drive?• It can also be helpful to slow

down if you become ill, drowsy or emotionally upset.


What is a Safe Speed to Drive? • Before you drive, plan ahead.

–Considering the weather and traffic conditions, how long will it really take you to make the proposed trip?


What is a Safe Speed to Drive? • The first step in arriving on time

safely is accurately estimating travel time under the current conditions.


What is a Safe Speed to Drive? • Remember, there is a connection

between speed and traffic fatalities. –In 1987, Congress allowed states to

raise the speed limit to 65 MPH. –By 1989, fatalities on these roads

had increased by 30 percent.


Too Fast for Conditions?• Its not just about speeding above

the posted limit

Its about driving safely at all times and under many different conditions

when you ought to drive more cautiously and slowly


THANK YOU!• Thank you for participating in our

program

• The decisions that every driver makes while behind the wheel lead to a specific result…let’s all try to make it a safe one!

driving too fast for conditions

Documents

timecopyright safetyfirst

personcopyright safetyfirst

greater speed

slower speed

vehicle travels

maximum safe speed

stopping distance

posted speed limit