AT A GLANCE
- In 2015, speeding killed an estimated 9,557 people across the country, which works out to an average of 26 people each day (NHTSA).The United States loses $5.2 billion each month due to speeding-related fatality collisions (NHTSA).
- A pedestrian struck by a car at 20 miles per hour has a 95 percent chance of survival, but the survival rate drops to 60 percent at 30 miles per hour and 20 percent at 40 miles per hour (Safe Kids Worldwide).
- Fixed speed cameras reduce injury crashes by 20 to 25 percent (NHTSA).
- Mobile speed cameras reduce injury collisions by 21 to 51 percent (NHTSA).
THE BIG PICTURE
Speeding is both costly and incredibly dangerous. From 2011-2015, an average of 9,773 people were killed each year in speed-related crashes. An average of 814 people were killed each month in speed-related crashes.
Speeding also makes already dangerous collisions more deadly. A pedestrian struck by a car at 20 miles per hour has a 95 percent chance of survival, but the survival rate drops to 60 percent at 30 miles per hour and 20 percent at 40 miles per hour.
Speed safety cameras are incredibly effective at reducing driver speeds and keeping people safe. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that fixed speed cameras reduce injury crashes by 20 to 25 percent and mobile speed cameras reduce injury collisions by 21 to 51 percent.
Additionally, camera technology helps to reduce speeds in particularly vulnerable areas like school zones. For example, only 10 percent of drivers in Oregon school zones with speed safety cameras and flashing signage exceeded the 20 mile-per-hour speed limit by more than five miles per hour. In Oregon school zones without these safety precautions, 56 percent of drivers exceeded the speed limit by the same amount.