Speeding and Speed-Tracking Cameras

Every year thousands of people are injured in car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2011, 32,367 people died and 2.22 million people were injured in motor vehicle crashes. In New York there were 1,169 car accident fatalities in 2011.

Speeding is one of the leading causes of crashes. The NHTSA reports that speeding was a factor in almost 1/3 of all fatal wrecks, and 11,674 people died in speeding-related accidents.

New York City recently saw a rise in the number of deaths related to traffic accidents. Pedestrians accounted for 148 of the 274 deaths in 2012. The majority of the increase in total deaths occurred in the automobile and passenger death categories, rising from 50 to 73. The rest of the country is also on track to show an increase in traffic fatalities.

The New York City Department of Transportation reported that 30 percent of the deaths were due to speeding and that there was an increase in hit and run accidents as well.

Persons hit at 40 M.P.H. have only a 30 percent chance to survive the accident. Those hit at the lesser speed of 30 M.P.H. have an 80 percent chance of survival.

The city believes that speeding cameras would enable law enforcement to track down those who commit hit and runs, as well as those who speed, and would provide a deterrent to other drivers.

Persons who are injured due to the negligence of a driver have the right to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for their injuries.