California drivers admit to not following speed limits, AAA study finds
A new study by AAA reveals that most California drivers refuse to follow posted speed limits despite recognizing the importance of them.
The study highlights growing concern over unsafe speeding behavior with many drivers considering driving 10 mph over the speed limit as routine.
The methodology used in the study involved a three-part approach to examine driver attitudes towards speeding, which included focus group discussions and a questionnaire. The California estimates included a random sample size of 1,056 people and had a margin of error of 3.89 percentage points.
In the study, one in three drivers admitted they ignored speed limits because they believe no one follows them, AAA said.
Among Californians surveyed, 54% of them said keeping up with traffic is safer than obeying speed limits, a rate higher than the national average of 49%. Additionally, 35% of drivers identified themselves as those speed “sometimes”, compared to the nationwide average of 30%.
Additionally, 35% of drivers identified themselves as those who speed “sometimes,” compared to the nationwide average of 30%.
“The speed limit is there for everyone to get home safely,” said Todd Burger, AAA Mountain West Group Chief Automotive Officer. “We’re calling on every motorist to choose to drive the speed limit. It’s a life-saving decision that provides the space and time needed to react to the unexpected.”
The study examines why drivers speed, with many citing reasons, such as: to get around slow drivers (28%), to avoid holding traffic (24%),to reach their destination faster (24%), speed limit to set too low (19%) and that’s how they normally drive (18%).
According to the study, California drivers reported they slow down in certain situations including:
Avoid a speeding ticket (75%)Avoiding an accident (72%)Bad weather (55%)Protecting other road users (50%)There’s too much traffic (45%)
In the study, drivers strongly support safety measures aimed at promoting safer speeds in the state.
Among the drivers surveyed, 85% of them support increased police presence in areas with a history of speed-related crashes. About 74% of drivers support automated speed cameras in high-risk zones.
Over half of drivers (54%) back advisory Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), such as dashboard alerts when exceeding speed limits. However, support drops to 22% for technology that actively restricts speed without driver override.
When it comes to speed bumps, 40% of drivers said they support having them in their own neighborhood.
AAA shared tips to drivers for choosing a safe speed, including using posted speed limits as a benchmark. AAA said the posted speed limits represents maximum speed and not the minimum. AAA also urges drivers to consider visibility, road and weather conditions and having space around their vehicle to ensure they have enough room to respond to unexpected situations.
For those who are on the road driving the speed limit while others speed, AAA considers to do the following:
Stay in the rightmost lane and avoid driving in the passing laneMaintain a steady, predictable speedIncrease following distance and monitor approaching vehicles from behind
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