There are a great many different ways in which a driver could potentially be negligent while behind the wheel of a car, and any one of them on its own could lead to a serious car accident. But one common factor is involved in a great many motor vehicle accidents and compounds the effects of every other potentially negligent action a driver may take. That factor is speeding above the posted speed limit or driving in a manner too fast for conditions.

For instance, if a driver is distracted the amount of road that they cover while they are distracted increases in direct relation to the speed at which the driver is travelling. When a driver needs to stop traffic conditions or other unexpected obstruction, the distance required to stop safely increases the faster the driver is travelling. A driver is also much more likely to lose control of their vehicle when trying to maneuver their car at higher speeds.

A recent fatal crash has some residents calling for increased action from authorities to help reduce the speed that some drivers travel in the Litchfield Turnpike. In this fatal accident a New Haven man apparently crossed over the center line and collided head-on with another vehicle that was driven by a woman also from New Haven. The man died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash, the woman was also injured but was treated and released from the hospital.

While the investigation into this crash remains ongoing, in the wake of the deadly crash local residents have called on law enforcement authorities to take steps to reduce instances of drivers travelling at unsafe speeds on this road.

Source: Bethwood Patch, "Fatal Crash Brings Attention to Speeding on Litchfield Turnpike," Beth Nicefaro, May 3, 2012