A RECENT global study has confirmed what road safety organisations have known for a long time – a 10pc increase to the speed limit leads to a 40pc increase in fatal crashes.
Speeding is unquestionably recognised as a major factor in both the number and severity of traffic crashes and Australian figures show eight in 10 fatalities happen on country roads where the speed limit is 100kph or higher.
Road Safety Education program director Greg Rappo has urged drivers to slow down and be aware during school holidays
“As your speed increases, so does the distance you travel while your brain is processing information and reacting to it – and so does the distance you need to stop,” Mr Rappo said.
“The average time it takes for most drivers to react to a risky situation on the road is 1.5 seconds.
“A driver who is fatigued or distracted may take as long as three critical seconds to react – at 60kph this is the equivalent of travelling blind for approximately 50 metres.”
Mr Rappo said even a small increase in speed could drastically affect stopping distance.
“Speed limits are there for a reason, and we beg people to pay attention to them these school holidays,” he said.
“Beyond that, it’s important to drive to the conditions – inclement weather, poor road conditions and increased hazards should all be triggers to reduce our speed below the limit.”
