Overview
Speed Fact Sheet (GRSP) ⌵︎
Speed is the most significant factor in road crashes, affecting the number of crashes as well as crash severity. Speed is about kinetic energy and force. The higher the impact speed of a collision, the greater the forces that result. Human bodies are simply not adapted to withstand impact forces that occur in higher speed road crashes.
The faster a driver travels, the more likely they are to crash and the greater the risk of serious injury or death. No matter what causes a crash, vehicle speed directly affects the force of impact. As speed increases, there is an increase in the following factors and, in turn, an associated increase in the risk of crash involvement:
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Stopping distance — both the distance travelled during reaction time and the distance travelled after the brakes are applied.
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The probability of exceeding the critical speed on a curve.
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The chance of other road users misjudging how fast the speeding driver is travelling.
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The probability of a rear-end crash if the driver has not accounted for the increased speed by increasing the following distance.
Did you know?
82% of Road Crash Fatalities and Injuries in the economically productive age groups (15 - 64 years.)
82% of Road Crash Fatalities and Injuries in the economically productive age groups (15 - 64 years.)
