A new report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wasn’t surprising in its finding that speed still kills. It was just the timing, coming the morning after two young ladies died in a speed-related crash on Baby Doll Road.
Though traffic fatalities are dropping overall, speed remains a leading cause. Nationally, about a third of traffic fatalities are linked to speeding. Washington state falls in line with that. Of the 437 people who died in traffic here in 2012, 159 included speed a a factor.
Even though 91 percent of those surveyed agreed that people need to slow down, more than a quarter admitted speeding themselves. Why do they do it? The most common reason, according to the survey, is they’re running late for an event or appointment.
The solution is often easier said than done.
“Just leave earlier,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste. “There’s no point in arriving at a play, or ballgame, or other fun event all stressed out from traffic. If you speed, you put yourself at risk of not arriving at all.”
You can see the full report here.
