New study reveals drivers increasingly view speeding as normal behavior

A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that many drivers now view speeding as a routine part of driving, raising concerns among law enforcement. The study revealed that many drivers believe going up to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit is acceptable. Nearly half of respondents said they think it is safer to drive with the flow of traffic rather than follow posted speed limits. The Cape Coral Police Department cautions that this mindset can lead to dangerous outcomes. "Speed is a contributing factor in crashes and also the severity of crashes and the type of injuries that we see with crashes that take place and some instances where a crash could have been less severe and injuries could have been more minor had the person not been going as fast, and maybe the crash could have even been prevented altogether," said Steven Klakowicz, public affairs officer for the Cape Coral Police Department. AAA reported that speeding was a factor in nearly 30% of traffic fatalities in 2024. The study also found that the primary reason people speed is to get around slower drivers. Researchers noted that the most effective way to get drivers to slow down is not necessarily safety concerns but the threat of receiving a ticket. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said it works daily to address this mindset, which they believe is harming roads along the Gulf Coast. The Cape Coral Police Department encourages residents to report unsafe driving when they see it. "Every concern, every complaint, every comment that we get gets reviewed and it gets sent out to our officers on the ground level so that they can take action and everybody can be safe, and we can have our citizens be safe and be satisfied," Klakowicz said. Law enforcement’s message to drivers is simple: don’t let the driver next to you determine how fast you go. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV