Many drivers drive above the speed limit on a regular basis. In fact, it has been observed that over 20% of all drivers drive 10 mph (16.09 km/h) above the speed limit in free-flow traffic [1]. This behavior is undoubtedly dangerous. According to the NHTSA, 29% of all fatal traffic accidents were speeding related in 2022. This represents 12,151 deaths in a single year [2]. 

Speeding does not only mean driving above the speed limit; it also includes driving too fast for road conditions. Speeding increases the risk of accidents in multiple ways, such as:

Increased braking distance
Going 10% over the speed limit increases your braking distance by about 21%. For example, if it takes 55 meters to stop from a speed of 100 km/h, it might take 66 meters to stop from a speed of 110 km/h. 

Increased crash velocity 
Going 110 km/h instead of 100 km/h can make impact speeds up to 45.8 km/h faster. To see just how much a small difference in initial speed can affect impact velocity, scroll down and try the crash speed calculator for an approximation.

Smaller field of view
At high enough speeds, objects on the edge of your field of view will become blurry.

Higher risk of loss of control
At higher speeds, risks related to loss of control, such as hydroplaning, are increased.

Less time to react
The average reaction time of a human is about 250 ms, or a quarter of a second [3]. This is the time it takes to cover seven meters while traveling at 100 km/h (62 mph). This distance will increase at higher speeds, making it more difficult to react to unexpected dangerous situations in time.

A driver might attempt to justify speeding with the time they save, but the gains in time are generally insignificant, especially when compared to the risks involved. Driving 10 km/h above the speed limit only shortens a 1-hour drive to 54 minutes, saving a measly six minutes at the cost of more than doubling the probability of getting into an accident [4].