When it comes to driving, it’s true that speed kills. In fact, according to the 2011 Traffic Safety Facts published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NSTSA), speeding (defined as driving at speeds that exceeded posted speed limits or that were unsafe given the weather or road conditions) contributed to 31 percent of all traffic fatalities.
In New Jersey, auto accidents result in the tragic deaths of approximately 550 men, women, and children each year. In response to this, the state declared October 10, 2013 “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day.” Motorists throughout New Jersey were urged to be “exceptionally careful” so that, for a single day, there would be no fatalities caused by auto accidents. Unfortunately, there was one fatality; yet, overall the campaign proved to be a success, as auto accidents in general were down on that date.
While it would be nice if drivers throughout the state operated their vehicles as though every day were “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day,” that hasn’t been the reality. Many drivers continue to disregard posted speed limits, putting the lives of those with whom they share the road at serious risk. While they may believe themselves to be skilled enough drivers to speed without endangering lives, speeding dramatically impairs their ability to navigate curves, avoid objects in the road, and brake safely to prevent collisions.
The personal injury attorneys of Winegar Wilhelm Glynn & Roemersma offer skilled legal representation to those who have been severely injured or who have lost members of their families in accidents caused by other drivers’ excessive speed and other forms of aggressive driving. We would prefer never to handle another case arising from speed-related accidents if it meant all of the state’s drivers following the rules of the road. However, in our imperfect world, speeding accidents occur, and we’re here to protect and assert the rights of innocent victims and their families.
New Jersey Speed Limit Laws
As the old saying goes, “ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking the law.” In the case of state speed limits, the frequently posted signs of speed limits should make ignorance of the law difficult, if not willful. Nevertheless, knowing the speed limit laws – and there aren’t that many to commit to memory – could save lives. If there are questions about how fast automotive vehicles are allowed to travel on a given stretch of road, it’s always best for drivers to err on the side of caution, and certainly not to go faster than the flow of traffic.
The basic speed limit laws of the state are as follows:
- 25 mph in school zones and business and residential districts, unless otherwise posted
- 35 mph in low-density business and residential districts, where posted
- 50 mph on all other roadways
- 55 mph on some state highways, where posted
- 55 mph on all intrastate highways
- 65 mph on some state highways, where posted
Remember, speed limits are not approximations of how fast people should drive on a roadway; they are absolute maximums. If the posted speed limit is 35 mph, then there is no excuse for going 40 or 45 mph. If a driver causes an accident by going even five miles per hour over the legal speed limit, our car accident attorneys can use that fact to present the strongest case possible on behalf of the accident victim and any other passengers in the automobile at the time.
Contact Our Auto Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by speeding, please& ;contact the law firm of Winegar Wilhelm Glynn & Roemersma for an evaluation of your case today.
