AAA: Speeding Is Now Normal For Drivers

Speeding has become so commonplace that many drivers now consider it a normal part of being behind the wheel, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Three in ten drivers agreed with the statement, “No one actually drives the speed limit.” While most drivers surveyed said posted speed limits are appropriate, many considered driving 10 mph over the limit acceptable, and nearly half believed keeping up with surrounding traffic is safer than obeying the posted speed limit.

AAA Texas says those attitudes are concerning because even seemingly small increases in speed can reduce a driver’s ability to react and increase the severity of a crash.

"Drivers can easily fall into the mindset that going five or 10 miles per hour over the speed limit isn’t really speeding, especially when surrounding traffic is moving faster," said Doug Shupe, Corporate Communications Manager for AAA Texas. "But the laws of physics don’t change just because speeding has become common. The faster you’re traveling, the less time and distance you have to react when something unexpected happens."

Crash Numbers in Texas and US

The consequences are evident on Texas roadways. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2025, speeding played a role in more than 150,000 traffic crashes in Texas, resulting in 1,247 fatalities and 5,652 serious injuries.

Nationwide, speeding was a factor in nearly 30% of traffic fatalities in 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The AAA Foundation study also found drivers aren’t always speeding simply because they’re running late.

Top reasons drivers gave for speeding:

• To get around slower drivers — 31%
• To reach their destination faster — 25%
• To avoid holding up traffic — 21%

Top reasons drivers said they would slow down:

• To avoid getting a ticket — 79%
• To avoid being involved in a crash — 72%
• Bad weather — 60%

The research also examined public support for ways to reduce speeding. Drivers showed strong support for increased police presence in areas with a history or potential for speed-related crashes. Roughly seven in ten also supported automated speed cameras in those locations.

Drivers were generally more supportive of technology that warns them when they’re speeding than systems that automatically restrict vehicle speed.

“Findings from this research show that some drivers in the United States view speeding as a normal part of driving,” said Dr. David Yang, President and Executive Director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “When people take cues from surrounding traffic instead of following posted speed limits, it creates a culture that makes crashes more difficult to prevent and roads less safe for everyone.”

What AAA Texas Wants Drivers to Remember

Drivers should choose their speed based on:

• The posted speed limit: It is the maximum speed under appropriate conditions, not a minimum.
• Visibility: What you can see determines how much time you have to react.
• Road and weather conditions: Weather and traction can affect your ability to stop safely.
• Space around your vehicle: Leave enough room to respond to the unexpected rather than allowing surrounding traffic to dictate your speed.

If you’re driving the speed limit while surrounding traffic is moving faster, AAA recommends staying in the rightmost lane when practical, maintaining a steady and predictable speed, increasing your following distance and allowing faster-moving vehicles to pass safely.

“Safe driving isn’t about matching the speed of the car next to you,” Shupe said. “It’s about choosing a speed that gives you the time and space you need to react. Arriving a few minutes sooner is never worth increasing the risk of a serious crash.”

Photo: Araozt/Shutterstock.com. Miami, Florida. May 16, 2026