Speed kills.

You’re late. It’s going to start in five minutes and you are a good ten minutes still away. Traffic is moving pretty well, but what’s it going to hurt to go five….ten….fifteen miles per hour faster? Unfortunately, you are not the only one with this idea. And this is a cause of the increase in traffic collisions in Clermont County and other counties across the state. Speed is killing.

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the AM PEAK average interstate speed has increased from 58 MPH in 2019 to 65 MPH in 2021. This increase is being attributed to the pandemic when there were fewer vehicles on the road and individuals increased their speeds. However, even though traffic volumes have returned to near normal levels, vehicle speeds have not lowered. Thus, there has been an increase in the number of speed related collisions and fatalities.

Across Ohio, ODOT reported that as of July 13th, traffic deaths are up by 16% compared to last year. Speed is one of the contributing factors to this increase. But what does it harm to go a little faster on the roadways besides it being illegal? Speeding gives greater potential for loss of vehicle control, reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment, increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger, increased crash severity, and increased fuel consumption/cost.

We know that speeding has dire consequences but what drives speeding in our society? As stated above- running late, keeping up with current traffic, aggressive driving by frequently changing lanes, and the simple disregard for others and the law.

So, what can you do? For one, do not be a speeder yourself. Speeding is considered aggressive driving and while you are focused on getting to your destination in a short amount of time other drivers may view your speed as a challenge thus increasing theirs. And if you come across a speeder, stay in the right lane so they can pass, adjust your driving accordingly by giving them space and call the police if you believe a driver is following you or harassing you.

Clermont County is our county. We need to lower our traffic collisions and fatalities by looking out for each other. Slowing down, buckling up, turning off electronic devices, not driving impaired and looking out for our pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. If each of us follows those simple suggestions, we can keep our roadways safer for our family and friends.

The Clermont County Safe Communities Program (www.facebook.com/DriveSober55) is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Ohio Department of Public Safety/Ohio State Highway Patrol-Ohio Traffic Safety Office. The Program is administered by the University of Cincinnati AHEC Program located at 2085 James E. Sauls, Sr. Drive; Batavia.