The first speeding ticket issued in the U.S. was written in 1905. The fine was $10, and the driver was cited for traveling 10 m.p.h., the Auto Insurance reports. Suffice it to say that as long as there have been motor vehicles, there have been lead-footed drivers anxious to arrive at their destination somewhat faster than the law permits.
New York ranks seventh for states where drivers are most likely to be cited for speeding. Not only are New York drivers more likely to be cited, they are also more likely to be caught, or at least captured on film. New York City ranks second in the nation for areas with the highest number of traffic cameras. Chicago leads the country with 406 cameras, NYC has 372 and Washington D.C. ranks third at 311.
And, there’s a good reason for such stepped-up law enforcement when it comes to speeders in New York. In 2009, 11 percent of all New York fatal car accidents – or 28,263 out of 256,953 reported car accidents – were linked to drivers traveling at an unsafe speed. More than 305 people died and another 12,867 were injured in New York speed-related car accidents, the New York Department of Motor Vehicles reports.
In New York, men and women aged 18-29 are more likely to speed and more likely to be injured or killed due to speed-related crashes than any other age group. The NYDMV reports that in 2009, 147 men and 18 women were killed and 3,999 men and 1,956 women were injured in New York speed-related crashes.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speed-related car accidents cost Americans $44,193 per minute, or more than $23 billion per year in lost wages, medical bills, quality of life compensation and, among other things, vehicle repairs and work productivity.
The AAA Foundation offers a handful of tips to help drivers identify aggressive driving and avoid incidents of road rage:
~ Stay out of the left lane if you drive the speed limit or slower, don’t cut people off or hang on someone’s bumper.
~ Save the obscene hand gestures for when you’re at home or among friends and retelling your story about that crazy driver. Avoid making eye contact and give the aggressive driver space.
~ Remember, you are sharing road space, not playing a video game or vying for pole position at the Daytona 500. Getting to your destination is about arriving safely, not getting there first.
~ Lastly, cultivate some empathy for your fellow drivers and put yourself in their shoes before flying off the handle and chasing they up the highway to let them know how little you appreciate that they just cut you off.
As a New York City car accident attorney, Nicholas Rose understands that being involved in a traffic accident is often one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. We would like you to know we are available for a free and confidential consultation if you have been injured in pedestrian traffic accident. To schedule an appointment, call us at 1-877-313-ROSE (7673).
