A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found many drivers view speeding as a normal part of driving, even as speeding continues to contribute to traffic deaths across the country.
Three in 10 drivers surveyed agreed with the statement, “No one actually drives the speed limit,” according to the study. While most drivers considered posted speed limits appropriate, many said driving 10 mph over the limit was acceptable, and nearly half believed keeping up with traffic was safer than following the posted speed limit.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was a factor in nearly 30% of traffic fatalities in 2024.
“Findings from this research show that some drivers in the United States view speeding as a normal part of driving,” said Dr. David Yang, President and Executive Director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.” When people take cues from surrounding traffic instead of following posted speed limits, it creates a culture that makes crashes more difficult to prevent and roads less safe for everyone.”
Researchers also examined why drivers choose to speed. Thirty-one percent cited getting around slower drivers, 25% said they speed to reach their destination faster and 21% said they do so to avoid holding up traffic.
When asked what motivates them to slow down, 79% cited avoiding a ticket, 72% cited avoiding a crash and 60% pointed to bad weather.
The study also examined public attitudes toward measures intended to reduce speeding.
Drivers showed strong support for an increased police presence in areas with a history or potential for speed-related crashes, at 87% and 88%, respectively. About seven in 10 supported automated speed cameras in those areas.
Drivers also viewed advisory Intelligent Speed Assistance, which provides in-vehicle warnings or alerts when a driver exceeds the speed limit, more favorably than technology that automatically restricts a vehicle’s speed.
Support declined for measures that took more control away from drivers, according to the study. More than nine in 10 drivers believed speed humps were effective, but fewer than half supported installing them in their own neighborhoods. Support for Intelligent Speed Assistance also declined as the technology became more restrictive and could not be overridden by the driver.
“There is no silver bullet for addressing traffic safety risks caused by speeding,” Dr. Yang said. “Understanding which strategies drivers are most willing to adopt can help policymakers and safety professionals develop interventions that are both effective and publicly acceptable.”
AAA said drivers can reduce their risk by choosing speeds based on posted limits, visibility, road conditions and the amount of space around their vehicles rather than allowing surrounding traffic to dictate their speed.
“Choosing the right speed isn’t about how quickly you’ll get there—or how fast everyone else is driving,” said Dr. Bill Van Tassel, Manager of AAA’s national driver training program. “It’s about choosing a pace that gives you the time and space to react when something unexpected happens. That’s what helps prevent crashes.”
AAA also recommends that drivers traveling at the speed limit while surrounding traffic is moving faster remain in the rightmost lane, maintain a steady and predictable speed, increase following distance and watch for faster vehicles approaching from behind.
