Study: Most Colorado Drivers Speed, Land Line Media Reports
A Colorado Department of Transportation study found that 73% of state residents say they speed on main highways at least some of the time, highlighting widespread acceptance of exceeding posted limits among drivers.
Speeding Reported Across Colorado
CDOT’s newly released Driving Behavior Report examined driver attitudes and reported behaviors related to speed. The survey found that nearly three-quarters of respondents acknowledged speeding on major highways at least occasionally.
The findings come as speeding remains a significant concern in discussions about roadway safety, crashes and traffic fatalities. The report also indicated that many drivers do not expect enforcement until they are traveling approximately 10 to 12 mph above the posted speed limit.
Drivers Underestimate the Risk
Perceptions of speeding varied based on respondents’ own driving behavior. Among people who reported speeding, only 36% said it makes driving less safe.
The report also found greater skepticism about speeding among more experienced drivers, although the summary did not provide additional details about the differences between driver groups.
Small Time Savings, Significant Costs
According to the study, drivers who exceed posted speed limits typically save only about 54 seconds on an average trip.
Researchers estimated that if motorists nationwide followed posted speed limits, the resulting reduction in fuel consumption could total more than six million gallons of fuel, $18 million and 50,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per day.
CDOT’s findings underscore the gap between how drivers perceive modest speeding and the broader safety, fuel and environmental impacts associated with higher speeds.
