In 2013, the state of Ohio gave the green light to increase the speed limit on interstate highways from 65 to 70 mph. Since this decision, there has been a 23% increase in drivers ticketed for excessive speeds of 100 mph or more. The correlation between these two factors is resulting in some serious consequences.
Last year there were 1,094 Ohio traffic accident fatalities; high speed was involved in one-third of the deaths.
This recent statistic is not only unsettling but it also proves one major point: one third of these fatalities could have been prevented!
Many drivers will go at least 5 mph over the legal speed limit, but what happens when that legal limit is already at 70 mph?
As drivers adjust to these new speed limits, here are several tips that may help prevent high speed accidents:
- Slow down! Keep within the legal speed limit.
- Only use the fast lane to pass another vehicle; do not ride the highway in the fast lane.
- Use the slow lane if you are uncomfortable with high traffic speeds.
- If you are driving in poor weather conditions, always use the slow lane.
- If weather conditions cause low visibility on the road, use the slow lane and turn on your hazards.
- Move over for drivers exceeding the speed limit.
- Always use your turn signal!
In the same year Ohio increased interstate highway speed limits to 70 mph, state troopers wrote 597,933 speeding tickets.
Every time a person exceeds the speed limit, they not only put themselves at risk but they put the health and safety of other drivers in harm’s way. Don’t risk the lives of others! Slow down and drive with care.
If you or a family member was hurt in an accident due to a negligent driver, call me today for your free consultation. As your Ohio car accident lawyer, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving “Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities.” You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 1 (800) 556-4769.