Will Posted Speed Limits Prevent All Car Accidents?

 Will Posted Speed Limits Prevent All Car Accidents?

Every roadway in the United States has speed limit signs posted. The majority of American drivers do not abide by posted speed limits. We all have the need for a little speed! Even the law provides for a small violation, naturally a police officer would not stop you if you are traveling 5-7 miles over the posted maximum speed. If there was a strict adherence to these laws, it is very likely that we would have to employ more law enforcement and court dockets would be clogged as a result.

In 2013, 33,719 people died in car accidents and 2.3 million were injured, according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Law enforcement agencies report that several of these incidents were attributed to speeding. With such stark statistics it leads one to inquire, “Are speed limit signs a true deterrent for speeding?” According to the Federal Highway Administration, speeding guidelines are determined by the average speed of individuals driving safely in that area. What if you live in an area where people tend to drive more aggressively, such as New York? Or in an area heavily populated with seniors and retirees, such as Boca Raton, FL. Therefore, a particular speed limit is based upon the nature and habit of the motorists who reside in the area.

The interesting fact here is that the limits are not suggested by the number of crashes, or the rate of stops done by law enforcement, but how people naturally operate their vehicle. As a result of the studies conducted rational/maximum speed limits result. A rational speed would be defined as a reasonable and prudent speed that is suitable for standard traffic, weather and roadway conditions. A prudent driver would not drive at an excessive speed within a city limit due to the existence of pedestrians rational speed limit and traffic lights. 

It is likely that the speed within a city would range from 25-45 miles per hour, rather than 60-75 miles per hour which you would find on an expressway. Traffic engineers believe that 85 percent of motorists are cautious and they are careful when operating their vehicles because they want to avoid crashes at all cost. Thus, traffic engineers have coined the term 85th Percentile Speed which is the speed that 85 percent of vehicles generally do not exceed.  This would mean that 15 percent of the other motorists on the road usually exceed the posted limit.

Factors that contribute to speeding:

Motorist that have the need for an adrenaline rush.

Failing to leave early in order to arrive at your destination on time.

Hostile driving habits.

Circumstances that take place in one’s life that can divert one’s attention.

Being easily angered by the acts of other motorists.

If you have been cited for speeding or any other traffic violation allow the diligent attorneys to fight for you. 

Do Talking & Texting Bans Actually Prevent Auto Accidents?

We all have the impulse to do something extra while in operation of a motor vehicle. Whether it is chatting on the cellphone, changing the radio station, eating, and the most infamous activity, texting, as you look to your left and right there is a high likelihood that your neighboring motorist is doing one of the four. 

These activities are as common as using a signal light, but they are the most dangerous acts you can engage in while driving. Specifically talking and/or texting on your cellular device, which diminishes your ability to stay alert, while leading to cognitive strain that lessens your concentration on the most important part of driving, FOCUSING ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU! Many states have proposed new laws that will ban texting/talking on handheld devices while driving. 

The belief is that stricter guidelines concerning the matter, such as bans, will deter those who text/talk while driving. However, it has been reported that in four states where the bans took effect accidents increased compared to those states who did not implement a ban. The likely reason is because humans are creatures of habit and with the dependency on cell phones and other gadgets, those motorists will continue to use them by doing so in a concealed effort. The attempt to hide the use increases danger because now the driver not only has to focus on the road, but they must look out for law enforcement, and “hit the like button on Facebook.”

The State of Georgia proposed texting/talking bans back in 2010 after studies conducted from previous years showed that 80 percent of the crashes and accidents were a result of inattentiveness or distracted driving. A study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined that those who regularly engage in the act of texting or talking on cellphones while driving increase their likelihood of being involved in an accident.

THE NUMBERS:

The VTTI and NHTSA report was based on conduct of 241 motorists who participated in the study for one year, two million miles, and forty-two thousand hours of activity.

0ut of the 100 vehicles that were studied there were 82 crashes, 761 “almost” accidents, and 8,296 critical accidents

35 percent of Atlanta drivers admit to talking on the phone regularly while driving

GEORGIA BANS

At the present there are no handheld cellphone bans for regular motorists who talk on their phones, however there is a strict ban for texting while driving.

Bus Drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones for talking or texting.

Novice drivers or those under the age of 18 are prohibited from using handheld cell phones for talking or texting.

The act of texting/talking and driving has become for normalized for our society that we often forget the potential risk that we place ourselves in. It is important to be aware of your surroundings and not only use your eyes drive for yourself, but for those around you who may travel the road in a negligent and unsafe manner. If you have been a victim of an unsafe motorist or you have been charged with a “texting while driving” offense, please call the reputable attorneys. 

Hiring A Car Wreck Attorney 

 As soon as you exit your vehicle you hear, “Are you alright?” “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even see you!” Before you have an opportunity to respond the other motorist is already inspecting your bumper and offering to cover the expenses. Music to your ears, right? The following day you receive a call from the other motorists’ adjuster. You are berated with questions and by the end of the day, after several calls, you begin to think that the accident might have been your fault.

There are several points that one must consider after an accident:

Personal Injury

Were you injured as a result of the accident?

Did you have to leave the scene on an ambulance?

Did you receive treatment at the emergency room?

Property Damage

The extent of damage done to your vehicle

Obtain a couple estimates from body shop because they tend to vary

Fault/Liability

Was the proximate cause of the accident yours or the other party’s?

Did your acts prior to the accident bring about the harm?

Insurance Coverage

Is your vehicle covered by limited or full coverage insurance, also referred to as liability and collision insurance?

If the accident was at the fault of the other party their liability insurance will cover your expenses.

Keep in mind that the other party’s insurance company only wants to pay the least amount out to compensate you for the accident. If you are in the midst of negotiations and you begin to get a pushback from the insurance company or there is a disagreement regarding the true value of your damage or injury, it may be time to hire an attorney.  Attorneys are experienced in the “art of negotiating.” They are likely to obtain funds for claims referred to as general damages. This would claims such as, pain and suffering or mental anguish. These are complaints that are generally difficult to prove. However, with the help of an experienced attorney, you are able receive the most value out of your claim