The BBC have published a report about speeding drivers today, based on Freedom of Information requests sent to police forces throughout the country.
In two staggering cases (one in Kent and one in Greater Manchester) drivers had been recorded travelling at 164 MPH!
A driver moving at 164mph travels almost 80 metres per second – three quarters the length of a football field!
Most accident investigators agree that the very best reaction time for most drivers is 1 second, and in most cases more likely two seconds. In other words, a vehicle travelling at that kind of ridiculous speed is likely to have travelled between 80 and 160 metres before the driver even begins to apply the brakes or take evasive action.
Farleys have been dealing with serious motor accident claims for many years, and nearly all of those claims excessive speed on the part of a careless driver has been a contributing factor.
As much as we all get frustrated by the sight of a speed camera, the simple truth is that speed limits are there to keep people safe.
If you have been injured as a result of an accident caused by a speeding motorist, please get in touch for some free initial advice on making a claim for compensation. Call 0845 287 0939, get in touch by email, or use the online chat below.
Case Study – Excessive Speed Road Traffic Accident Claim
Mrs T was driving to work one sunny morning on a country road in Cheshire near to the famous telescope at Jodrell Bank.
She was driving well within the speed limit and came to a crossroads where she had the right of way and there were give way lines for any traffic approaching from her left and right.
As she drove through the junction, another vehicle emerged from the junction to her right travelling at very high speed. There was nothing Mrs T could do to avoid a collision, and the force of the impact pushed her car off the road and turned it onto its side. Photographs taken in the immediate aftermath of the accident showed a very distressing scene.
Mrs T was initially trapped in her car and the emergency services were called. Mrs T was taken to hospital where she remained for several days. She suffered fractures to her foot and back, and was generally banged and bruised all over. She also suffered a nasty head injury and a significant aggravation of her pre-existing vertigo and tinnitus.
It was clear that the other driver had been entirely responsible for the accident. She was travelling at excessive speed and had failed to notice the give way signs at the junction.
We agreed to represent Mrs T on no win no fee terms and when we sent a letter of claim to the insurers for the other driver they very quickly accepted responsibility for the accident.
We obtained expert medical evidence in relation to Mrs T’s injuries from experts in orthopaedics and neurology. We also gathered evidence of her financial losses. When we presented the evidence to insurers for the other driver, we were able to help Mrs T settle her claim for £60,000.
Contact a Specialist in Road Traffic Accident Claims
If you would discuss the possibility of making a claim for compensation following a road traffic accident, please get in touch with our personal injury experts at Farleys on 0845 287 0939, by email, or through the online chat below.