Speeding – Is it Worth it?
by Alex Ariza, Injury Prevention Coordinator
In the spring of 2020, NYC was locked down to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Despite fewer people driving, speeding tickets had doubled in many boroughs, including Queens.
Some drivers took advantage of the open roads driving at speeds nearly 85% greater than the speed limit.
As businesses slowly began to open up in the summer and fall, traffic returned to normal levels. Unfortunately, some drivers are still speeding on highways and residential roads.
Speeding is dangerous and can lead to very serious consequences.
Here are 5 reasons why drivers need to obey the speed limit.
It is illegal.
In 2014, Mayor De Blasio began Vision Zero, a campaign designed to reduce pedestrian deaths and motor vehicle collisions. Studies have shown that pedestrians struck by a vehicle at 25 mph or less had a higher likelihood of surviving than at faster speeds. A law was passed to reduce the city’s speed limit to 25 mph based on this research by our legislature.
Collisions at High Speeds Can Lead to Serious Injury or Death.
For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities.
Driving at higher speeds can increase the chance of losing control of your vehicle; reduces the effectiveness of protective equipment like airbags and seatbelts; increases the stopping distance due to the vehicle’s momentum, and many lives can be negatively impacted by a collision. Families, friends, and entire communities all suffer from fatalities directly related to speeding.
Even if no one is hurt or killed from your speeding, there are still consequences to pay.
Speeding Adds Points to Your License.
The Driver Violation Point System was designed to identify and take action against high-risk drivers. The DMV assigns points for speeding violations. If you get 11 points in 18 months, your driver’s license may be suspended. In more serious cases, a driver’s license may be revoked. These points affect your car insurance premiums leading to expensive rates. A driver can expect to receive 3 to 11 points against their license for driving over the speed limit.
Speeding Tickets are Expensive
A major component of the Vision Zero campaign is law enforcement. Speed cameras have been installed on streets with a history of speeding and around school zones. The cost of a NY speeding ticket can range between $90 and $600. Speeding is expensive. Is it worth it?
You Are Sharing the Road
Cars share the road with cyclists and pedestrians. Speeding undermines the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. Most traffic crashes occur at intersections when a driver takes a turn quickly or tries to beat red lights putting others in danger. You must slow down on residential streets and school zones. If you see someone driving aggressively or speeding recklessly, jot down the license plate number and a description of the car to alert the authorities.
Keep yourself and others safe, obey the law and follow the speed limit.
References:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/16/nyregion/coronavirus-nyc-speeding.html
https://dmv.ny.gov/tickets/about-nys-driver-point-system
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding
https://newyorkspeedingfines.com/speeding-tickets-in-nyc-a-complete-guide/queens/
https://dmv.ny.gov/about-dmv/chapter-5-intersections-and-turns