Speed limits on Texas highways typically range between 75 and 85 mph. You’d think this would be enough to prevent drivers from speeding, but some feel even 85 mph isn’t fast enough. Unfortunately, close to 30% of car accidents are caused by speeding in Texas and the resulting damage can be catastrophic. So, why is speeding such a problem in the Lone Star state and how does it increase your risk of being involved in a traffic accident? We hope that you find this Speeding May Have More Risks Than You Realize post valuable.
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Speeding is an issue regardless of which state you call home, but it’s often more common in Texas, but this isn’t because Texans are bad drivers who disregard traffic laws. Texas is a huge state, second in size only to Alaska. With around 261, 232 square miles, it can take a day or longer to get from one end of the state to the other.
To put it a little more into perspective, it will take twelve hours or longer to drive from Houston to the Texas-Florida border. Yes, you can easily spend an entire day or more trying to get out of Texas. If your goal is to spend the night in another state like Florida or Oklahoma, you probably need to speed at least part of the way.
Texas's sheer size is part of why it’s currently the only state with 85 mph speed limits on some roads. The state also looks at average driver speeds when setting speed limits. Apparently, a large percentage of drivers are already hitting 85 mph on the highway.
However, don’t think every stretch of highway is 85 mph. Most freeways around major cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin keep speed limits to 75 mph. You tend to only hit 85 mph speed limits in rural areas where traffic is typically lighter.
Even though Texas law allows drivers to hit 85 mph in some places, this doesn’t make it any less dangerous to do. Even though there are reasons for Texas to raise the speed limit above the national average, there are also risks associated with the high rate of speed. These risks are also some of the reasons why other states stick with speed limits of 75 mph and lower.
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When you’re speeding it’s harder to control your vehicle. You also can’t react as quickly to changing road conditions. If a wild animal runs out into the road, you may not have time to take evasive measures.
Deer on the roads are common in Texas’s hill country. You can even run into road hazards on a trip to the Gulf Coast. Shredded tires from 18-wheelers are common road hazards, along with other types of debris. If you’re speeding, avoiding pedestrians and cyclists can be tricky. Remember, it’s more difficult to control a vehicle at a higher rate of speed. Even though 85 mph is legal in parts of Texas, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good idea to reach this speed.
Have you ever heard the phrase stop on a dime? This means coming to a quick and full stop without warning. If you’re not speeding, this isn’t an impossible feat. You can usually stop in time at lower speeds even if it’s been a while since you replaced your brake pads.
Did you know the distance it takes for a vehicle to come to a complete stop is almost quadruple the speed? This usually isn’t a big deal if your speed is around 25 mph on city streets. You can usually stop in time to avoid hitting an object like a pedestrian.
However, if you’re barreling down the road at 75 mph, just think about the distance it takes for your vehicle to come to a stop. By the time the vehicle stops, you’ve probably already hit what you’re trying to avoid.
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Road conditions can refer to everything from bad weather to obstacles and the highway’s design. Even some streets may have posted speed limits that are too high for safety. When roads are wet, your vehicle’s traction is automatically affected. Speeding can result in hydroplaning, meaning your tires aren’t making contact with the road. Hydroplaning is dangerous and frequently leads to accidents since you can’t control the vehicle. The best way to avoid hydroplaning is to reduce your speed. Sometimes, you may need to drive at a crawl when the weather is bad.
Not all roads in Texas are a straight line. Hills and curves are common, especially in rural areas. Yes, rural areas are also where you typically find higher speed limits but this doesn’t mean you should hit the gas. Just because it’s legal to drive 85 mph doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good idea. Sometimes, the best way to stay safe and avoid an accident is to drive below the speed limit. Our Safe Winter Driving Tips can provide more information.
The force of the impact increases with your rate of speed. For example, hitting another vehicle at 25 mph typically results in minor damage. Slamming into another car at 85 mph typically produces severe vehicle damage. Injuries are also more severe and the risk of fatalities increases.
The vehicle rate of speed can also influence the type of car accident. Remember, it’s more difficult to control a speeding car. When you slam on the brakes to avoid hitting a hazard, you can lose control of your vehicle. You may spin out into oncoming traffic or end up hitting another vehicle on the side.
If speed plays a factor in your car accident, you may be dealing with significant injuries and property damage. Texas is an at-fault state, meaning you have the legal right to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance provider. However, Texas also follows comparative negligence rules and this can affect your claim.
To help ensure you’re not assigned more than your fair share of the blame for an accident, it’s best to work with an experienced attorney. We hope that you find this Speeding May Have More Risks Than You Realize post valuable. Good luck!
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