Speed

Speed has been determined to be an aggravating factor in all crashes. As speed increases road users are less able to react to other road user's actions or detect hazards.

Driving a few km/h over the posted speed limit:

• Reduces your ability to steer safely around curves or objects on the road.
• Decreases your field of vision and your peripheral vision.
• Extends the distance required to stop your vehicle in emergency situations.
• Reduces your ability to obey traffic control devices such as red lights and stop signs.
• Increases the chances that you will lose control of your vehicle.
• Reduces the effectiveness of seat belts and other safety devices such as airbags and side impact beams.
• Increases probability of death or injury if there is a crash.
• Reduces the effectiveness of roadside hardware such as barriers, crash cushions and bridge rails.

Remember - An unsafe speed could be under the specific speed limit, depending on the road and driving conditions, (ex: roadway icy, wet or snow covered, weather, light conditions and traffic density etc.). When road conditions worsen decrease your speed and increase your following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.