Speeding still a major factor in roadway deaths: report

Washington – Speeding was a factor in approximately one-third of all traffic deaths on U.S. roadways during the past 25 years, according to a report (.pdf file) released by the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The report cited data from an online survey conducted by GHSA from 2010 to 2011, which included responses from highway safety offices in all 50 states and Guam. State highway safety representatives were asked to rank the major hurdles to speed enforcement.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents chose “public indifference to speeding” and 61 percent selected public perception that “speed enforcement is just a revenue generator” as the biggest obstacle, the report stated. Thirty-five states reported decreases in the amount of law enforcement officers available to conduct speed and aggressive driving enforcement activities, which was cited as a major challenge, GHSA found.

Study authors concluded that states should address aggressive driving enforcement and target speed enforcement in school and work zones, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should support public awareness efforts, promote automated speed enforcement, and sponsor a forum on speeding and aggressive driving.