Excessive speed is a contributing factor in a considerable number of fatal motor vehicle accidents. Speed related accidents are entirely preventable and motorists who travel at excessive speeds negligently put others at risk of injury or death. When motorists speed and cause fatalities, they can be held liable for the consequences their actions create.
Progress Slows on Reducing Speed Related Deaths
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reviewed crash data from 2001-2017 and determined that while speed-related deaths involving pedestrians are dropping, their rate of decline has slowed in recent years. In 2001, 30.6% of fatal motor vehicle accidents involved speed as a contributing cause of the crash. That dropped to 31.2% in 2005, and rose slightly to 31.5% in 2009. By 2013, the rate dropped to 29.5%, and it dropped again slightly to 26.2% in 2017.
Pedestrian Risk of Death by Speed
The higher the speed, the greater the likelihood that it will lead to a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. At 58 mph, the risk is 90%. That drops to 75% at 50 mph, and 50% at 42 mph. At 32 mph, the risk of death drops to 25% and at 23% the risk is 10%.
More Effort is Needed
The GHSA has determined that more effort is needed to reduce the risk of death for pedestrians. In particular, large, urban areas should actively take steps to reduce speed on city streets, improve sidewalks, and enhance bike paths. Other measures include aggressive law enforcement efforts and improving the engineering that goes into the design of roundabouts and streets. These efforts help ease traffic congestion, reduce speeds, and create safe travel paths for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Technology as a Tool for Life
The GHSA has also recommended the implementation of new safety standards and regulations. These include using speed limiters, automation, and AI to reduce speeds on city streets. These technologies would also alert motorists to the presence of pedestrians. Adoption and installation of these technologies, many of which are still in development, would have a negligible impact on the cost of new vehicles, but would have a significant impact in reducing the costs associated with fatal motor vehicle accidents. Combined with enhanced enforcement of speed limits, these technologies could have a significant impact on the overall number of fatal motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians in Nevada and throughout the country.
