Nashville, TN (WOKI) – A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety suggests speeding has become so common that many drivers no longer view it as dangerous or unusual behavior.
According to the research, many motorists consider traveling up to 10 miles per hour above the posted speed limit acceptable and unlikely to result in enforcement action. Nearly half of drivers surveyed said it is safer to drive with the flow of traffic than to strictly follow the speed limit.
The study also found that three in ten drivers agree with the statement that “no one actually drives the speed limit,” highlighting what researchers describe as a growing normalization of speeding on America’s roadways.
Safety experts warn those attitudes can have deadly consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was a factor in nearly 30% of traffic fatalities in 2024.
“Too many drivers have convinced themselves that speeding is just part of driving,” said Megan Cooper, spokeswoman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “The reality is that crashes don’t care what’s considered normal. The faster you’re going, the less time you have to avoid a dangerous situation.”
Why Drivers Say They Speed
The survey found drivers most frequently exceed the speed limit because they:
- Want to get around slower drivers (31%)
- Want to reach their destination faster (25%)
- Do not want to hold up traffic (21%)
Researchers also found many drivers do not expect to receive a speeding ticket until they are traveling approximately 10 to 12 miles per hour above the speed limit. AAA says that perception may help explain why so many motorists believe moderate speeding is acceptable.
What Causes Drivers to Slow Down
The threat of enforcement remains the strongest motivation for slowing down.
Drivers surveyed said they are most likely to reduce their speed to:
- Avoid getting a ticket (79%)
- Avoid a crash (72%)
- Respond to bad weather conditions (60%)
Support for Speed Enforcement
Despite widespread acceptance of speeding, the study found strong support for targeted enforcement efforts in high-risk areas.
Among those surveyed:
- 87% support increased police presence in areas with a history of speed-related crashes.
- 88% support increased enforcement in locations with the potential for speed-related crashes.
- About seven in ten support automated speed enforcement cameras in those areas.
Support declines, however, when enforcement measures are viewed as limiting driver control. While more than 90% of respondents believe speed humps are effective at reducing vehicle speeds, fewer than half support installing them in their own neighborhoods.
The study also found drivers are more supportive of technology that warns them when they are speeding than systems that actively prevent a vehicle from exceeding speed limits.
AAA Safety Advice
AAA says drivers should resist pressure to keep pace with speeding traffic and instead base their speed on roadway conditions and safety considerations.
“There’s a lot of pressure to go with the flow of traffic, especially when everyone around you seems to be speeding,” Cooper said. “But safe driving isn’t about matching the fastest vehicle on the road. It’s about making sure you have enough time to see a problem, react, and avoid a crash.”
AAA recommends drivers consider:
- The posted speed limit
- Visibility conditions
- Road and weather conditions
- The amount of space around their vehicle
If surrounding traffic is moving faster than the speed limit, AAA advises motorists to:
- Stay in the right lane when possible
- Maintain a steady and predictable speed
- Increase following distance
- Monitor approaching vehicles and changing traffic conditions
Traffic safety advocates say the findings underscore the challenge of changing driver behavior at a time when many motorists increasingly view speeding as routine, even as it remains a major contributor to serious and fatal crashes.
