Every year, thousands of Americans suffer serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions. In many instances, these accidents are caused by the careless actions of a driver. Reckless driving can range from drinking and driving to failing to signal when turning or following other vehicles too closely. One of the most deadly forms of reckless driving is speeding. Despite the risk of traffic tickets and potential loss of driving privileges, drivers regularly choose to drive at speeds above the legal speed limit. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident caused by a speeding driver, you may be entitled to significant injury compensation.

The Consequences of Speeding

In the United States, speeding is a primary factor in more than 25 percent of all fatal motor vehicle collisions. In 2017, according to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a total of 9,717 Americans were killed in collisions caused by speeding drivers. In today’s busy world, people tend to speed because they are in a hurry to get from place to place.

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State Senator Jim Oberweis is the sponsor of a bill that would raise interstate speed limits to 75 mph. This concerns many traffic safety advocates who believe that speed is a major cause of motor vehicle accidents.

About the Proposed Law

The speed limit on Illinois interstates is 70 mph. Sen. Oberweis justifies his bill by arguing that 75 mph is a safe speed since the vast majority of people -- he says 85 percent -- drive that fast anyway. Sen. Oberweis, who has pushed for higher speed limits in the past, argues that accidents are not caused by speed but rather variation in speed. Also, he believes that having a speed limit that few follow “breeds further disregard of laws.” The bill also proposes raising the speed limit on non-urban, non-interstate roads from 55 to 60 mph.

Opponents of the Bill

Many accident experts associate higher speed limits with having a negative effect on roadway safety, however. Higher speeds add to the risks drivers must face and manage. Another new risk for drivers are distractions brought by cell phones and in-car technology. Traffic safety experts say that limiting exposure to risks of all types helps increase highway safety.

Illinois’ Troubling Accident Statistics

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The Illinois State Police report an overwhelming number of alarming statistics regarding speeding and its impact on car accidents and injury throughout the state, drawing our attention to the ongoing need to reduce speeding behaviors on our roadways. According to their statistics, approximately 32 percent of all fatal crashes are speed-related, and the number of vehicles operating at 65 mph or higher has increased over time, which has resulted in higher crash impact incidents and a significant increase in fatalities.

Tollway Speed Study Findings

Speeding is especially problematic on our Illinois tollways. A surplus of vehicle traffic operating at such a fast pace, particularly during rush-hour times, creates a prime opportunity for collision and injury. Still, many drivers choose to drive over the limit in an effort to get to where they need to be. The Chicago Tribune revealed a tollway report that found that only one in 20 people obey a 55 mph speed limit on tollways. Even worse is the finding that the average driver speed on tollways floats in the mid to high seventies.

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 Speed limits exist for a reason, and they affect more than just car accident statistics; they impact pedestrian injury statistics as well. The Illinois State Police report that out of all fatal crashes, approximately 32 percent of those are speed related. They also report that most speed-related crashes actually involve only one vehicle, meaning even one driver has the potential power to cause a crash. Something as simple as the number on that dashboard dial makes a difference when it comes to crash and pedestrian injury incidents.

How Fast Is Too Fast?

So, how fast is too fast? What should your limit be? Do not fall into the habit of basing your speed on how fast you see others drive on the highway. Here are the standards in Illinois:

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