Hudson Valley Hamlets and Towns Eyeing Speed Limits
- November 17, 2016
Attorneys Fighting for Victims of Speeding Drivers in Poughkeepsie and Wappingers Falls, New York
As has been recently reported, the Town of Ulster is eyeballing speed limits in its vicinity, and indications are that other hamlets and small towns in the Hudson Valley are doing the same. In the case of Ulster, local officials have noted 12 motor vehicle accidents in a one-year period along a particular portion of U.S. Route 9W. The current speed limit of 55 mph is too fast, according to many locals.
Speed Linked to Many Serious Vehicle Crashes
According to information supplied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 9,260 persons are killed in speeding-related crashes each year. More than one-third of all 15 to 20-year-old male drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding, the highest among all age groups. True to what the Town of Ulster officials are saying, only 13 percent of speeding-related fatalities occur on interstate highways.
Speed and Alcohol Don’t Mix
Another disturbing NHTSA statistic: More than 40 percent of all speeding drivers in fatal crashes had blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, compared to 17 percent on non-speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes.
Another Dangerous Phenomenon: Lack of Seat Belt Use Among Speeding Drivers
It seems the same sort of lack of judgment that leads to speeding also leads to other dangerous phenomena. For example, only half of speeding passenger vehicle drivers who are involved in fatal crashes have their seat belts fastened at the time of the crash, compared to 78 percent of non-speeding drivers.
All Too Many Speeders Fail To Heed Weather Condition Warnings
Hazardous conditions and speed also don’t go well together. Where snow is involved in a fatal crash, almost one-third of the drivers were speeding. With icy highways, it is even worse: On ice-slick roads and highways, 40 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding, according to the NHTSA.
It’s a Law of Physics: The Faster the Vehicle is Moving, the Greater the Chance of Serious Injury
One doesn’t have to be a scientist to understand a simple rule of physics: The faster your car is traveling, the more damage that is done not only to occupants in other vehicles in a crash, but to the occupants in the speeding vehicle, as well. Even when one is restrained by a seat belt, the “G forces” that come to play in a speeding accident can be enough to cause serious, sometimes fatal, internal injuries.
Involved in a Serious Vehicle Crash? Contact a Qualified, Experienced Attorney
If you or a member of your family has been involved in a serious accident, you may have suffered significant injuries. You’ve likely incurred hospital and medical bills and you may have lost time from work. In many cases, you can recover money damages for your loss. In most cases, you need a strong, experienced attorney to represent you. The law firm of Stenger, Diamond & Glass LLP not only has the skill, but the experience and resources to help you recover the damages that you may deserve. You may be able to recover even if some of the fault can be attributed to you. When clients hire Stenger, Diamond & Glass they hire an entire team, not just one attorney. We have a versatile team of attorneys that work together to attack cases from every angle. We pool all of our resources to ensure our clients get their ideal outcome. Call us at (866) 290-6929 or complete our online form.