Speed limits aren't slowing down drivers, AAA study says

Key Points:

• Nearly half of drivers believe that "keeping up with traffic" is safer than strictly obeying speed limits, with many considering going 10 mph over the limit acceptable, according to a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study.
• Speeding contributed to nearly 30% of traffic fatalities nationally in 2024, and in Michigan alone, speed-related crashes resulted in 177 deaths, prompting increased speed enforcement by Michigan State Police.
• The study surveyed 16,000 drivers and found that the strongest motivation to slow down is the threat of receiving a ticket, with drivers also supporting targeted speed enforcement and automated speed cameras in high-risk areas.
• Despite recognizing the dangers, many drivers speed to avoid slower traffic or reach destinations faster, often not expecting enforcement unless exceeding the speed limit by 10 to 12 mph.
• While drivers approve of warning systems for speeding and speed humps, they are less supportive of technologies that actively limit vehicle speed or installing speed humps in their own neighborhoods.