We’re all in a hurry at the holidays. But driving fast is not the answer, and it most certainly is not safe driving. Speed-related deaths kill approximately 13,500 Americans each year, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association. And thousands more drivers, passengers and pedestrians are injured by speeding.
Here are five reasons you should not speed:
Save lives – Slowing down increases the likelihood you and your passengers will survive a crash. Each 1 percent decrease in travel speed reduces injury crashes by about 2%, serious injury crashes by about 3% and fatal crashes by about 4%.
Save money – Speeding reduces fuel efficiency, causing you to buy gas more often. The Department of Energy estimates that, as a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph above 60 mph you drive is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas. With gas tickling the $4 mark again, getting the best possible fuel economy is money in your pocket, instead of in the gas tank.
Save the environment – According to Ford Motor Company, driving a vehicle at 65 mph consumes about 15% more fuel than driving the same vehicle at 55 mph. More fuel consumed means more CO2 released into the atmosphere.
Save yourself a ticket – Highway safety agencies and law enforcement crack down on speeders, especially during holidays. Obey the sign or pay the fine!
Save your license – A speeding ticket could lead to points on your driving record. Too many points and you could lose your license and your insurance premiums could go up.
Safe drives are great drives.
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