Speeding Incidents Increasing Among Wisconsin Drivers

Wisconsin law enforcement agencies issued more than 172,000 speeding tickets in 2015, highlighting an increasing speeding problem among the state’s drivers in recent years.

In 2014, auto accidents caused by speeding resulted in 9,262 deaths in the U.S., amounting to 28 percent of the overall traffic fatalities for that year.

Drivers might not be aware of how the risk of causing an accident increases when they travel just five or 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, according to Wisconsin State Patrol.

Wisconsin’s state safety officials have noted that drivers routinely ignore posted speed limits.

One of the most common traffic violations Wisconsin drivers commit is traveling at speeds of 70 miles per hour in 55 miles per hour zone, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

WisDOT has stated that more than 30,000 tickets have been issued for this specific violation, with fines of $200.50 for each infringement.

Speeding can have several dangerous consequences, including:

• Increasing the risk of potentially losing control of the vehicle
• Reducing the effectiveness of a vehicle’s safety devices and accident protection equipment
• Increasing the severity of an accident and creating a higher injury risk
• Increasing the distance a vehicle must stop in the event of a sudden threat
• Increasing fuel consumption, which leads to higher economic costs for driving

Drivers who consistently travel at excessive speeds are displaying signs of aggressive driving that raise the risk of dangerous accidents.

There are several factors that may contribute to aggressive driving behavior, such as traffic congestion or running short on time for work or scheduled appointments. Vehicles also provide drivers with a level of anonymity that bars them from acknowledging the effects of their behavior.

However, drivers who routinely violate speed limits also display a disregard for the law and a lack of concern for other motorists sharing the road.

According to Wisconsin State Patrol, speeding often occurs when drivers are distracted and divert their focus away from the road. This can cause a driver to lose track of how fast he or she is traveling while failing to notice any changes in the posted speed limit.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident caused by a driver who neglected to follow the speed limit, you may be entitled to compensation. At Pitman, Kalkhoff, Sicula & Dentice, we understand the initial shock victims experience after being in a car accident, and our Milwaukee car accident attorneys will provide a free consultation to review the traffic collision and determine if you can bring a legal action. We do not charge clients any fees unless we successfully help them receive a positive outcome in their claim.

Call 414-333-3333 or complete our Free Case Evaluation form if you have been in an accident.