In Golden and throughout Colorado, people in automobiles, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians are advised to be alert and aware of the potential dangers they might face. Distracted driving is perceived as the most prominent catalyst for auto accidents in the current environment, but there are other potential risks that arise. These have been in place since the automobile was invented. Specifically, one that causes severe crashes, catastrophic injuries and death is speeding. According to recent research and anecdotal evidence, it has gotten worse in the past 20 months. Preventative measures are advisable, but after a collision, those confronted with massive medical expenses, the inability to work and an uncertain future should be cognizant of all the available options.
Commercial drivers in Colorado have been speeding at a worrisome rate
According to Colorado State Patrol, commercial drivers have had a 21% spike in exceeding the state speed limit by between 25 and 39 miles per hour in 2020 vs. 2019. There was a rise of 60% for commercial drivers who exceeded the speed limit by at least 40 mph. Part of this is believed to be due to the lack of traffic on the road during the crisis. With less traffic and more open spaces – along with a lack of law enforcement oversight due to staffing problems – drivers have been free to speed and commit other violations. The most dangerous aspect of speeding is that it increases the impact when there is a crash. Drivers cannot stop short if they need to and the accident itself is likely to have a worse outcome due to the speed at which the vehicle was traveling.
Speeding and DUIs have not reduced with an incremental return to normalcy
Even as society begins to recover, people are heading back to in-person work and children are going back to school, speeding and drivers who are under the influence is continuing to occur. Law enforcement representatives from locations as diverse as Maine, California and New York are reporting what they have seen in terms of recklessness on the roads. This is happening after 2020 was the worst year for highway fatalities in more than 10 years. This is troublesome when placed in the context of the reduction in miles driven.
New York had speeding citations rise commensurately with road deaths in the first six months of 2020. In that same time-frame, California issued twice the number of speeding tickets for drivers surpassing 100 mph than it did in the first six months of 2019. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that there was a 7% rise in road fatalities even as driving was 13% lower.
Having experienced assistance can be critical after an auto accident
Car accidents happen for many reasons, but considering this information, speeding and overall recklessness is a problem everywhere. The aftermath of a crash can cause a litany of challenges to the injured person. Their lives may never be the same, they could face financial hardship and a dramatically different life than the one they envisioned. When there is a fatality, the family must think about how they will move forward without their loved one. Knowing how and why the accident occurred can be crucial when weighing options. If it was due to speeding, distraction, driving under the influence, drowsy driving or for any other reason, evidence is vital. From the start, it is key to have experienced advice to determine how to proceed.