Speeding: The City of Muncie's Unsafe Driving Habit

In May, Indiana Public Radio drew attention to a recent traffic safety study conducted by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute addressing statewide traffic safety.

Such a broad study can lead to multiple insights about how Hoosiers — and, more specifically, citizens of Muncie — drive. One conclusion, according the lead researcher, Dona Sapp, was that “drivers in southern Indiana are less likely to use a seat belt — while northern Indiana drivers are more likely to speed.”

Although it’s good news that most northern Hoosiers, including those in Muncie, use a seat belt, it’s unacceptable that so many have developed a habit of speeding. Out of all the collisions in 2016, 9.5 percent of nonfatal crashes were caused by speeding and 26 percent of fatal accidents were caused by speeding, according to a 2016 report by IUPUI. The counties with the highest speeding rates were clustered together in the northern part of the state.

How to Improve the Muncie Speeding Habit

If you’re involved in a Muncie car accident that was directly or partially caused by speeding, you should know that whoever was speeding is likely to be found partially or completely at fault for the accident. That can affect the speeder’s ability to recover financial costs associated with the accident.

For some people, it is hard to slow down or stop speeding. Practicing some of these simple steps might help you improve this unsafe driving habit:

• Give Yourself Plenty of Time: People find themselves running late for work, school, appointments, etc., and speed to try to make up the lost time. Leaving early and giving yourself the extra time to get somewhere discourages speeding.
• Use Cruise Control: On highways with heavy police presence or traffic, use the cruise control to help you go with the flow of traffic.
• Challenge Yourself to Drive the Speed Limit: If driving over the speed limit is a big problem for you, challenge yourself to drive the exact speed limit. Many drivers don’t consider themselves to be speeding if they’re only going five or so miles per hour above the speed limit. By being overly strict for a period of time, you may find it easier to relax and drive the speed limit or within a few miles per hour of it without feeling tempted to accelerate to dangerous and illegal speeds.
• Consider the Consequences: Depending on how fast you are speeding, there can be serious consequences in Indiana. From ticket fines and safety programs to insurance consequences and license suspension, Indiana has varying traffic violations by location and type.
• Pay Attention: It is easy to get caught up following a faster car on the interstate or accelerating when a street is empty; however, paying attention to how fast you are actually going might help you quit this unsafe habit.

Other Times to Drive at a Reduced Speed

There are even times when you should drive below the posted speed limit. Such occasions would include when:

• The roadway seems hazardous
• You share the road with pedestrians or cyclists
• The weather conditions are poor
• You’re driving at night with poor lighting
• You’re driving in congested areas where people can brake suddenly

There are also areas, such as school zones, where speed limits decrease depending on the time of day to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

Another area where your speed should be reduced is in a Muncie construction zone. Either in downtown Muncie or driving on Interstate 69, you should reduce your speed in any construction zone for the safety of both yourself and the construction workers.

Consult a Muncie Car Accident Attorney

Speeding is a natural habit for some Muncie drivers; however, it is a habit that causes a lot of Muncie car accidents. If you find yourself in a Muncie car accident where speeding is the main culprit, make sure you are receiving the maximum compensation possible. To know this for sure, contact trusted Muncie car accident attorneys. The attorneys at Hensley Legal Group are ready to help; call or contact us online for your free consultation today.