SPEEDING
Speeding is the act of driving faster than the posted speed limit. This includes driving at speeds that are too dangerous for the current road conditions such during rain, snow and fog. In NSW, speeding contributes to around 42% of driving fatalities, making it the road’s #1 killer.
Starter: Watch the devastating impact of speeding on the vehicle, the drivers involved, and the community that witnessed the accident:
Alt Link:
Reflection
1. What was the reaction of the witnesses at the crash site?
2. What was the impact on the victim driver and his family?
3. What were the visible injuries of the speeder?
4. What is the link between driving under influence and speeding?
CAUSES OF SPEEDING
According to research by Healio, teenagers between 16 – 18 speed more than 30% of the time when driving, making you guys more likely speed than an adult. However, this does not happen by accident, but rather by a range of deliberate reasons. These include:
Peer Pressure and thrill seeking – Peer Pressure is one of the main ways that causes learner and provisional teenage drivers to speed. This is the act of being influenced by friends (who are the passengers), to act in a certain way. Often, this can be very dangerous. Young drivers can be pressured into speeding to impress their friends and seek thrills, which leads to inevitable accidents.
Risk taking behaviours – Teenagers like you are more likely to take risks than adults, according to the RCH.
But why is that so?
As teenagers grow, they begin to take risks, seeking independence, curiosity and inclusion into friend groups. This is heavily linked to speeding, as the thrill of driving fast can lead to:
-Positive emotions
and
-Friends liking them more
This therefore makes teenage risk taking one of the main causes of speeding, as they cannot control emotions rationally due to their underdeveloped and inexperienced brains.
Running late/traffic– One of the main reasons that teenage drivers speed is being afraid of running late. This can be in the morning trying to get to school on time, driving home, or going to sports training on time. Often, teenagers will drive above posted speed limits, cutting through traffic and changing lanes frequently against the rules.
Pressure from other drivers - More experienced drivers can overwhelm teenage learner drivers by tailgating and honking. Teenagers will often drive faster than their comfort zone as a response to the stress caused by other drivers.
Affect of speeding on safe driving
Speeding is not a petty matter. It is one of the most dangerous and risky forms driving and has led to 1 in 3 road fatalities in Australia, according to police reports. The reasons are detailed below:
Stopping Distance/Reaction time – Driving faster increases both the reaction time needed and the braking distance to stop the car. Reaction time increases because of speed as the driver has less time to perceive sudden hazards, such as a vehicle suddenly stopping or changing lanes. This is especially an issue for young drivers, as they cannot adequately judge the road conditions ahead of them due to unfamiliarity and inexperience.
Reaction time can also be affected by dim lighting conditions and night (making it difficult to see), distractions and fatigue which further increases the likelihood of crashing.
Increasing speed also increases the braking distance (the distance the car travels after the brakes are applied), as more force is required to overcome the car’s kinetic energy. These two aspects affect stopping distance which is calculated by this formula:
Stopping distance = Reaction distance + braking distance.
Stopping distance on normal road condition when driving at 30km/h is 19 metres. This nearly doubles when driving at 50km/h, increasing to 37 metres. This therefore heavily increases the risk of car accidents, as the driver is unable to stop to vehicle on time to avoid the obstacle. This can cause injury to the driver, the passengers and the pedestrians, with severe cases leading to DEATH.
Stopping distance can also be increased by faulty brake pads and wet road conditions, making collisions with pedestrians and other objects more forceful, sudden and dangerous.
If a car hits a pedestrian at 50km/h
The impact is twice as likely to cause death than if the car had been travelling at 40km/h.
~Transport NSW~
Increases crash severity – Speeding also increases the severity of the crash. Nilsson’s Power Model shows that:
“1% increase in average speed results in a 2% increase in injury crash frequency, a 3% increase in severe crash frequency, and a 4% increase in fatal crash frequency.”
While these may seem insignificant, another study shows that every 5km/h doubles the risk of fatal crash. crashing at higher speeds generates more force upon the car.
This leads to severe injuries, such as broken bones, damaged organs and even DEATH as the driver due to the sudden impact, as well as debris that compress the driver's body. Dangerous incidents such as whiplash (when the neck suddenly 'whips' forwards) can cause neck and spinal injuries. These fatal crashes have led to 39,505 hospitalisations in Australia in 2021 alone.
REAL EVENT - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-07/nsw-hunter-valley-police-pursuit-14yo-ends-in-fatal-crash/105744798
In September 2025, a 14 year old, illegal driver crashed a stolen car while speeding. It killed the 17 year old in the front seat, while the other 3 passengers were treated for injuries. The 14 year old was flown to John Hunter Hospital.
Not only can speeding affect your own health, but also has a severe impact on others. This includes the driver and passengers of the victim car, family members and friends by causing injury, grief and DEATH.
Witnesses can also get scared and traumatised by the accident they have witnessed. Therefore, to protect yourself and for the sake of other people's health AVOID SPEEDING.
SPEEDING THRILLS, BUT KILLS
ACTIVITY: PHYSICS OF SPEED SIMULATOR 🚗
Try this game made by the WA Government that tests stopping distances at different speeds.
Instructions:
1. Select 'Car' as vehicle
2.Select dry city road
3.Play this map on 40km/h, 50km/h, 80km/h and 110km/h
4.Do the same with the wet city road
5. Experiment with other vehicles and maps
Reflection Questions:
1. What do you notice about increasing speeds and the time it takes to stop the vehicle.
2. Do you think road conditions affect speeding?
3. What lesson have you learnt from this and how will you contribute to safer driving?
HOW TO AVOID SPEEDING?
To keep teenage drivers safe on the roads, it is important to avoid speeding at all times. Here are some tips to help you:
- Plan – If you have drive somewhere such as to school, leave at least 10 minutes early. This will give you time to drive through traffic and stop you from rushing.
- Choose your passengers wisely – As teenage as you are vulnerable road users, you should avoid taking friends in the vehicle. This can lead to risky behaviours from peer pressure. If you really need company, have a trusted adult or parent with you.
- Check the posted speed – Young, beginner drivers may find it difficult to maintain a controlled speed. Be sure to check the posted speed limit of the road so that you are keeping yourself and others safe.
Create Your Own Website With Webador