Maryland State Police and MDOT Intensifying Efforts to Prevent Speeding
February 19, 2020
Speeding is one of the top causes of serious and fatal car accidents in the United States. In fact, speeding and aggressive driving are responsible for one out of every three car accidents. However, most, if not all these accidents can be prevented if motorists obey the rules of the road and make safety a priority. The Maryland State Police and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) are launching a new speed enforcement program called Aggressive Drivers Are Public Threats (ADAPT). All drivers caught speeding or driving aggressively will be stopped and ticketed without exception.
Speeding is extremely dangerous as it significantly reduces the motorist’s ability to react to another vehicle, a hazardous object in the road, or an unexpected curve in the road. Speeding during inclement weather is particularly dangerous because the motorist could easily lose control of the vehicle if they slam on the brakes to avoid hitting something or someone. Motorists who do not obey the speed limit put themselves, the other passengers in the car, and other motorists in the vicinity at tremendous risk.
Dangers of Speeding
Speeding and aggressive driving are responsible for too many fatalities on roads and highways in Maryland. In fact, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was responsible for 26 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States in 2017, resulting in over 9,700 lives lost. During the ADAPT enforcement period, any motorist who is caught speeding will be stopped and ticketed, particularly if they are speeding in an area where a high number of speed-related crashes occurred. In addition to being illegal, speeding causes the following:
- Greater likelihood of losing control of the vehicle
- Occupant protection equipment is less effective
- Greater stopped distance required
- Severity of crash is more serious
- Greater fuel consumption
- Speed-related crashes tend to have greater physical and economic implications
According to the NHTSA, car accidents that occur on roads that have a speed limit of 65 miles per hour (mph) or more are over twice as likely to cause fatalities compared to accidents that occur on roads where the speed limit is between 45 and 50 mph. They are five times more likely to occur compared to a road that has a speed limit of 40 mph or less. Motorists should know that the NHTSA considers a car accident to be speeding-related if the motorist was exceeding the posted speed limit, or if they were driving too fast for the current conditions, including inclement weather, road work, or heavy traffic.
Baltimore Car Wreck Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Speeding-Related Car Accidents
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident involving another motorist who was speeding, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore car wreck lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Speeding is dangerous and irresponsible. We will ensure that the negligent driver is held responsible for their actions, and that you receive the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. Protecting your rights is our top priority. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Prince George’s County, allowing us to represent accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.