School is starting up again! That means Rio Rancho school zones are active. Traffic is backing up. Everyone is on the road at the same time. And you just might know a shorter route through a neighborhood.
When you’re driving through a neighborhood, it’s absolutely critical that you follow the posted speed limit. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that speeding causes over one-third of New Mexico’s traffic fatalities. And speeding through a neighborhood puts pedestrians at much higher risk.
Risks of Speeding Through a Neighborhood
Neighborhoods present a lot more danger of hitting a pedestrian than regular roads:
- When the weather is nice, more people will walk on the road or neighborhood sidewalks.
- Once kids get home from school, they’ll want to let out that pent-up energy from sitting all day. It just takes one thoughtless decision for a kid to run after a ball that’s been kicked into the street.
- While you’re commuting home, other people will be walking their dogs after being at work all day.
- Unexpected wildlife can cause you to crash.
Why Slowing Down in a Neighborhood is Safer
Going just a little faster in a neighborhood may not seem like a big deal. Paying attention to the road may seem like the most important thing. While it’s true that distracted driving is a big problem, your speed has a huge impact as well:
- Vehicle control. You can control your vehicle more easily at slower speeds.
- Occupant Protection Equipment. Seatbelts and airbags have very fast reaction times. But they can only deploy so quickly. They start losing effectiveness at higher speeds.
- Stopping distance. Just a little math will tell you that it takes longer to stop when you’re going faster. You’ll have more time to react to a dog that’s gotten off leash if you’re following the speed limit.
- Crash severity. More severe crashes and injuries happen at higher speeds.
Speeding can become a habit. Especially if you don’t think about or know the consequences. It’s important to be aware that the risks are far more than just a speeding ticket.
Reasons for Neighborhood Speeding
Speeding is considered aggressive driving. But there can be many reasons behind it:
- You’re running late. It’s natural to drive faster when you’re running late to a meeting, work, or getting your kids to school. But the reality is, speeding won’t really save you much time. And if you get pulled over for speeding, you’ll end up running even later. Ultimately, though, you have to ask yourself if the risk of endangering someone else is worth saving a few minutes.
- There’s traffic. Maybe you weren’t running late, but now there’s an unexpected traffic jam. An accident, a train, construction. Now a neighborhood shortcut makes more sense. And picking up the speed is tempting. Don’t do it! Try checking a maps app with up-to-date traffic insights that can tell you the shortest route to your destination.
- You’re not paying attention. Sometimes it’s easy to miss a speed limit sign if you’re distracted. Be sure to know the posted speed limit for the road you’re driving on. Those speeds are set for a reason.
Speeding cars make neighborhood residents fearful. For good reason. And we have some beautiful neighborhoods in Rio Rancho that should feel safe for everyone.
So whether you’re driving through River’s Edge, Enchanted Hills, Loma Colorado, Cabezon, Northern Meadows, or High Resort, please slow down. Follow the speed limit. The extra minute and a half is not worth the risk.
How We Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured by a speeding driver, we want to help. Book a free consultation with us so we can get you the just compensation you deserve.
