GHSA: efforts to reduce speeding need to be renewed

The Governors Highway Safety Association has a report out that tackles the challenging topic of speeding. Unfortunately, many drivers in Illinois, as elsewhere, think of speeding as being culturally acceptable and do not think about the dangers. Speeding, according to the GHSA, will increase the severity of crashes and, with it, the risk for fatalities, especially among pedestrians and cyclists.

On the other hand, reducing travel speed can reduce crash severity and save lives. Still, speeding persists, contributing to nearly one-third of all motor vehicle-related fatalities every year. The GHSA is thus calling for stricter enforcement of speeding laws and for better education on the dangers of speeding.

While the GHSA supports the Vision Zero roadway project, it believes that its concept and principles should be applied not only to urban areas but also rural and suburban areas. Rural roadways see more speeding-related crashes. In fact, there were more than 5,000 speeding-related crash fatalities in rural areas in 2016 alone.

The GHSA, in partnership with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, will be holding a forum with major stakeholders concerning the development of a new, integrated speeding reduction program. Once developed, it can be implemented through the GHSA’s State Highway Safety Offices and their many partners. It is hoped that creating a safety culture will help reduce speeding.

Speeding is just one form of negligent driving, though; others include distracted driving, drowsy driving and DUI. Those who are injured through another’s negligence may have good grounds for a personal injury case. As long as they are less than 50 percent to blame for the accident, they might be eligible for compensation under this state’s negligence laws. Still, it may be good idea to hire a lawyer to ensure a fair settlement. If one cannot be negotiated, the case might proceed to litigation.