Speeding plays a significant role in traffic deaths and serious injuries. This post reviews data from 2000 through 2020 to show how often speeding is involved in fatal crashes and what trends have emerged.

Key Statistics

• For over twenty years, about one third of all vehicle fatalities have involved speeding.
• In 2020, speeding factors contributed to approximately 29% of all traffic deaths. That amounts to over 11,200 deaths, an average of more than 30 people per day.
• That same year showed an increase in speeding related deaths of around 17% compared to 2019. It was the highest number of such deaths since 2008.

Trends by Age, Gender, and Conditions

• Young male drivers are the most likely to be speeding when a crash becomes fatal. In 2020, at least 32% of male drivers in the 15 to 20 and 21 to 24 age groups involved in fatal crashes were speeding. Female drivers in those same age groups were less likely to be speeding, at about 18%.
• Crashes on roads with standing or moving water are more likely to involve speeding. In 2020 almost half of the fatal speeding crashes happened when the road surface was wet.

State Level Figures

• In 2020, California recorded 1,228 speeding related traffic deaths. That was second only to Texas, which had 1,446.

What It Means and What You Should Consider

Speeding does not only increase the chance of causing an accident, it often increases how severe the crash will be. Because speed amplifies force, injuries tend to be worse and survivors often have long term consequences.

If you or a loved one is injured in a speeding related crash, it is important to seek medical attention right away, keep records of all costs such as medical bills, car damage, and lost wages, and talk to a car accident attorney who understands how to build evidence around speed and fault.