Speeding & Aggressive Driving
Speeding can be defined as exceeding the posted speed limit, driving too fast for conditions, or racing. Speeding is a cited as a major factor in approximately one-third of motor vehicle crashes
Speeding is a common component of aggressive driving, defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as "committing a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property."
Learn More About Speeding & Aggressive Driving
State Laws
Speed Limits
Speeding in Work Zones
Aggressive Driving
Survey of the States Published 2005
Survey of the States Published 2000
Both speeding and aggressive driving deserve the same emphasis as occupant protection and impaired driving programs in efforts toward reducing deaths and injuries from motor vehicle crashes.
Since 1995, with the repeal of the National Maximum Speed Limit (NMSL), setting speed limits has been the responsibility of states. In recent years, the trend has been for states to increase speed limits on Interstates or other divided highways.
While all states have set speed limits, some have also passed aggressive driving laws that define aggressive driving as a combination of specific driver actions, such as: speeding; red light running; failure to yield; following too closely; improper passing; or others.
In addition to legislation, states are addressing aggressive driving in other ways, such as:
- Increased enforcement, through programs such as the Mid-Atlantic states' Smooth Operator law enforcement program.
- Local citizens' initiatives and coalitions that implement public information/education campaigns to improve driver courtesy.
- Technological advances, such as photo radar.
- Public information and education programs that focus on the dangers of aggressive driving, provide tips for safe driving, publicize upcoming enforcement programs or advertise tip lines for reporting aggressive driving behavior.
GHSA places a great deal of importance on the problems of speeding and aggressive driving, and it encourages NHTSA to: actively endorse speeding and red light camera programs; conduct more research on the issues; and develop a national high visibility enforcement campaign to address the issues of speed and aggressive driving.
GHSA Policy
Excerpted from GHSA's Highway Safety Policies & Priorities 
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F. Speed, Speeding and Aggressive Driving
F.1 Speeding-Related Crashes
A significant percentage of all crashes are speeding-related. These crashes are a serious problem and have contributed to the slowdown in the reduction of motor vehicle fatalities. GHSA recommends that NHTSA should make speeding-related crashes a priority and conduct research on effective countermeasures, identify best practices and provide technical assistance to states that wish to address the issue. NHTSA should also examine a number of issues such as: the impact of speed fines and points, the effect of decriminalizing speed violations, the coordination of speed campaigns with those for safety belts and impaired driving and potential changes to vehicle standards to limit the speed of passenger vehicles. Further, NHTSA should approach speed in an integrated manner by working closely with FHWA on speeding-related engineering issues and with FMCSA on the problem of speeding commercial motor vehicles.
GHSA supports the authorization of a federal incentive grant program to help states combat the problem of speeding. Such a program should encourage state and local speed enforcement initiatives, the use of automated speed enforcement, and implementation of local speed education campaigns and speed management workshops.
F.2 Speed Limits
Speed limits should be part of a comprehensive speed management program including highway engineering, speed enforcement and public education. They should be established based on several factors including, but not limited to: highway design, highway operations, highway conditions, differences at state or municipal borders and traffic safety. Decisions regarding speed limits should consider the likely safety consequences (crashes, injuries, deaths and economic costs) of different speed limits. Speed limits should be perceived as reasonable by the public and be well publicized and vigorously enforced.
F.3 Speed Advertising
GHSA strongly encourages motor vehicle manufacturers and advertisers to restructure advertising messages to encourage safety instead of speed. GHSA offers to work with other organizations in the transportation and highway safety communities to develop plans and support for responsible corporate advertising.
F.4 Use of Speed Detection Devices
GHSA supports state and national efforts to prohibit the sale and/or use of speed detection devices (e.g. radar and laser detectors) by the public because such devices undermine law enforcement efforts to control motor vehicle speeds and enhance highway safety.
F.5 Aggressive Driving
GHSA recognizes that aggressive drivers who do not follow the rules of the road are a hazard to all motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians on the roadway. GHSA encourages additional research into the issue and the sponsorship of effective countermeasures to detect, apprehend and discourage the aggressive driver.