5 Reasons Speeding Is So Dangerous for Pedestrians

You can’t talk about pedestrian safety without talking about speed

Speeding drivers often cause pedestrian accidents, resulting in a higher number of injuries and fatalities, according to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In fact, pedestrian fatalities now account for 1 out of 5 motor vehicle deaths nationwide, which is 78 percent higher compared to the number of pedestrian deaths in 2009.

That’s why multiple communities around the nation have started lowering their speed limits.

“Fortunately, our field has begun to wake up to the need to protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users,” the IIHS study says. “Transportation agencies are turning to new strategies, including lowering speed limits.”

At Twenge + Twombley, our South Carolina pedestrian accident lawyers have seen how reckless decisions behind the wheel lead to devastating outcomes. Speeding is one of the most common (and dangerous) forms of driver negligence.

Here are five reasons why speeding drivers make roads unsafe for pedestrians and how an attorney can protect your rights if you've been injured.

1. Small increases in speed dramatically raise pedestrian injury risk

When vehicles move just a little bit faster, the odds that a pedestrian will be severely injured or killed go way up. IIHS data shows that a pedestrian hit at 20 mph has about an 18 percent chance of being severely injured.

Pedestrian injuries become even more likely at higher speeds. When a vehicle’s speed rises to 30 mph, the risk of a pedestrian injury jumps to 50 percent. At 40 mph, the risk rises to 81 percent. In other words, even a slight increase in speed can make a significant difference in terms of pedestrian injuries or fatalities.

2. Standard speed limits often don’t protect pedestrians

In many locations, the default speed limit is 25 to 30 mph. These speed limits are designed to help keep neighborhoods safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, and those who travel without cars. However, in reality, many drivers exceed posted speed limits by 5 to 10 mph, which undermines the safety of pedestrians.

Additionally, speed limits are generally not designed with pedestrian safety in mind. Instead, it’s more about keeping traffic moving. Specifically, many traffic engineers use a method known as the “85th percentile” when setting the speed limit on local roads. This means the speed limit is set at a speed that 85 percent of drivers normally drive on the road, not what is a safe speed for non-motorized road users.

3. The difference between life and death at higher speeds

A pedestrian is much more likely to survive being struck by a car if the vehicle is traveling at a slower speed. Specifically, when speed limits are lower, vehicles have more time to stop, and the impact is less forceful, giving people a much better chance of survival.

Once speed increases, there’s far less margin for error. In crashes at 40 mph versus 20 mph, the increase in risk is massive. Because of this, lowering speeds in urban and residential areas isn’t just a good idea – it’s critical for saving lives.

4. Drivers have less time to see and react

Speeding reduces the amount of time drivers have to notice a pedestrian crossing the street or stepping off a curb. At higher speeds, stopping distance increases dramatically, leaving little chance to avoid a crash once a pedestrian is in the roadway.

Even alert drivers may not be able to brake or steer away quickly enough when they’re traveling too fast. This combination of reduced reaction time and longer stopping distance makes speeding particularly deadly for pedestrians.

5. Slower speeds improve outcomes beyond crash survival

Reducing speed isn’t only about whether someone lives or dies. It’s also about how well injured pedestrians recover and whether their injuries are manageable. Slower impacts often mean less severe injuries, fewer long-term disabilities, and lower medical costs.

When drivers slow down, crashes are less likely to occur. That means lower healthcare burdens, fewer hospital stays, and less emotional trauma for walkers and their families. Communities that lowered speed limits have seen crashes that still happen result in less severe harm for many injured pedestrians.

Speeding and pedestrian accidents remain a problem in South Carolina

While the dangers of going too fast are well-known, speeding drivers remain a serious problem in South Carolina. In 2023, nearly 39 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities in South Carolina were caused by speeding drivers, according to the most recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) accident data.

As for pedestrian accidents, they’re getting worse as well in South Carolina. In 2023, there were 187 pedestrian deaths in South Carolina, according to NHTSA accident data. To put this number in perspective, there were 107 pedestrian fatalities in 2014. That’s an increase of 74 percent in one decade.

Unfortunately, only 19 states give communities the right to set their own local speed limits. South Carolina is not one of those states, according to the IIHS study.

How can a South Carolina pedestrian accident lawyer help?

Pedestrian accidents, especially those that result in serious injuries or fatalities, can be chaotic, confusing, and confrontational. The driver who caused the accident might deny doing anything wrong. The at-fault driver’s insurance company might be no help at all. Meanwhile, the bills associated with your pedestrian accident expenses can be substantial and add up quickly.

Our South Carolina pedestrian accident lawyers at Twenge + Twombley understand the obstacles injured pedestrians face in such cases. That’s why we want to help. We know how to investigate pedestrian accidents – from reviewing accident reports to consulting with accident reconstruction experts if necessary. We leave no stone unturned in pursuit of justice, and we know how to build strong cases that get results.

Get the law firm that puts your best interests first. Contact us today for a free consultation with a pedestrian accident attorney who can help you demand justice and accountability. We offer legal representation to accident victims on a contingency fee basis. That means there are no up-front costs, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

"Twenge and Twombley are awesome! They helped me with my case, and their communication was amazing!" – Trinity M., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐