A recent fatal crash on Interstate 5 has left a community and a family in mourning. On December 2 a high-speed collision claimed the life of a 19-year-old man and resulted in severe injuries on his passenger. This crash has sparked a far-reaching conversation about the consequences of speeding. The accident occurred northbound on I-5 south of Hood Franklin Road and involved a 2012 Infiniti and a vehicle driven by a 21-year-old Elk Grove man. The Elk Grove driver emerged unharmed. The Infiniti driver was ejected after striking the center divider and was pronounced dead at the scene. The California Highway Patrol has not yet determined if drugs or alcohol were contributing factors.

This horrific event is a painful example of the dangers of high-speed driving. High speed driving is estimated to be responsible for almost 30% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2020. Speeding significantly reduces reaction time, increases stopping distances, and may render vehicle safety features less effective. The force of high-speed impacts can escalate the severity of accidents, with communities feeling the effects through the loss of life and economic costs running into billions annually. Even though the driver was ejected from the vehicle it is unclear if he was properly restrained by a seatbelt.

There are currently efforts to mitigate the risk of high-speed driving within the legislature that include implementing speed safety cameras. Safety cameras have been proven effective at reducing both speeding and crash rates. The overriding reality is that a certain segment of the driving population is attracted to the excitement of excessive speed and this is a difficult challenge to overcome. Statewide communities are looking toward traffic calming measures, intelligent speed assistance, and educational campaigns to promote safer driving practices and reevaluate speed limits with an emphasis on the safety of all road users.

In the post-pandemic world, the issue of speeding has moved to the forefront of many conversations. As a community works to come to grips with the loss of a young life, it serves as a stark reminder that speed jeopardizes both individual safety and the overall wellbeing of society. A comprehensive approach, including enforcement, technology, and community engagement, is imperative to curb the high cost of speed on our roads.

We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others.  At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $130,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com