3 Reasons Why Increasing Interstate Speeds is Dangerous

The recent increase of the speed limit on I-465 in Indiana from 55 mph to 65 mph poses the issue of whether raising the speed limit on highways is a good idea or not. While the increase is meant to enhance the flow of traffic on the, often, busy interstate, there are several potential dangers that drivers may not consider.

Although it is believed that raising speed limits and driving faster will reduce travel time, studies have shown that the actual change in travel time is minimal after increasing the posted limit. In fact, the increases actually lead to more crashes and makes those crashes more severe, causing serious injuries and even death. Ultimately, the risk of high-speed driving can outweigh the potential benefits of raising the posted speed limit.

Here are 3 reasons why increasing interstate speeds can make driving more dangerous.

1. Traffic can be stop-and-go, and the higher the speed, the longer it takes to stop.

Driving on the interstate does not always equate to a smooth, uninterrupted trip. Crashes happen, people pull over onto the side shoulder due to mechanical issues, emergency vehicles need to get through, traffic gets clogged during rush hours, and sometimes there is construction. All these complications can cause changes in traffic patterns, forcing people to slow down, speed up, or change lanes.

These conditions result in stop-and-go traffic, which can make drivers brake or decrease their speeds unexpectedly. If you are traveling at a high speed and the person in front of you suddenly brakes due to a vehicle stopping on the interstate in stop-and-go traffic, the amount of time you have to react and stop your own vehicle decreases. Similarly, if you suddenly speed up to make up for lost time and close the distance after being stopped on the interstate, you have less time to react if the vehicle in front of you needs to brake.

Ultimately, these scenarios can result in rear-end collisions. And if the vehicle in front of you happens to be a semi-truck or other heavy truck, these collisions can have devastating outcomes.

2. Higher speeds make weaving through traffic more likely to cause collisions.

When driving on the interstate, other vehicles tend to travel at a wide range of speeds, either close to the speed limit or well above it. Some drivers also switch lanes quickly to pass other vehicles or reach their intended exit. These factors can encourage aggressive drivers to weave through traffic at varying speeds to reach their destination. But the higher the speed, the riskier this practice becomes.

As a driver quickly weaves through vehicles, they are focused on locating potential holes in traffic they can use to switch lanes and may not realize the vehicle in front of them in the new lane has come to an abrupt stop. The vehicle the driver pulls in front of also may not expect someone to move in front of them, causing them to slam on their brakes. Both scenarios can result in rear-end collisions, and at high speeds, this can have deadly results for all the drivers involved because they do not have enough time to react. Additionally, those who choose to weave through traffic may not use their turn signals, which is particularly dangerous for other drivers who are not expecting the vehicle to change lanes quickly.

Not only is there an increased risk of rear-end collisions, but weaving through traffic can lead to sideswipes with the vehicles a driver is passing. As one weaves in and out of the lanes, they may come dangerously close to other vehicles and hit them as they pass. This can surprise and distract the driver of the vehicle that has been hit, which can lead to further collisions.

3. Most people drive 10-15 mph over the speed limit, meaning they will drive faster than before the change.

Surveys and studies done by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety have found that as of 2023, 49% of drivers stated they typically exceed interstate speeds by 15 mph in the past month, and 36% reported they exceeded the limit on residential streets by 10 mph. These results show that a large number of drivers regularly exceed the speed limit by a significant margin.

While some may think that raising the speed limit on the interstate to match the pace people typically drive will decrease speeding, that does not necessarily mean they will stop driving above the posted speed limit. In fact, the speed limit is usually determined based on the 85^th percentile speed, which is the speed that 85% of vehicles drive during free-flowing traffic conditions. This issue with this measurement, however, is that the percentile is a constantly moving target. When the posted limit is changed to reflect the current 85^th percentile, it will then create a new, higher, 85^th percentile.

Ultimately, implementing higher speed limits to improve traffic flow is likely to lead to more crashes, particularly because drivers will speed regardless of what the posted limit is.

Wrecks Caused by Speeding

While you may feel inclined to drive over the speed limit, even after it is increased, it risks the safety of yourself and everyone else on the roads.

If you or someone you know has been in an accident caused by speeding, reach out to Craig, Kelley & Faultless for a free consultation. Our 10 attorneys are experienced representing truck wreck victims in Indiana and across the United States.

Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both attorneys David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the NBTA, accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team that works with investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.

Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out for a free case consultation today at (888) 253-5198 or online.

David W. Craig is board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.