AAA study: Speeding has become normalized for many drivers

(WAND) - Speeding has become so normalized that many motorists consider traveling 10 mph over the limit acceptable, even as speeding remains a factor in nearly 30% of traffic deaths.

A new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals a significant shift in driver attitudes, with three in 10 motorists agreeing that "no one actually drives the speed limit anymore." Additionally, almost half of those surveyed believe keeping up with the flow of traffic is safer than obeying the posted limit.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding contributed to nearly 30% of all traffic fatalities in 2024.

"Too many drivers have convinced themselves that speeding is just part of driving," said Molly Hart, spokesperson 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."

The study highlighted the top reasons motorists speed:

To bypass slower drivers (31%)
To reach a destination faster (25%)
To avoid holding up traffic (21%)

The threat of a ticket remains the strongest incentive to slow down (79%), followed closely by avoiding a crash (72%) and bad weather (60%).

"There's a lot of pressure to go with the flow of traffic, especially when everyone around you seems to be speeding," Hart added. "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."

If surrounding traffic is speeding, AAA recommends motorists stay in the right lane, maintain a steady speed, and increase their following distance.