The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a $9.5 million campaign to combat speeding, a factor in nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities in 2022. The "Speeding Catches Up with You" campaign aims to remind drivers to reduce their speed and prioritize safety, especially during the busy summer travel season.
“Speeding accounts for nearly a third of all fatalities on our roads. While speeding may seem like the quick and easy option to make up some time when you’re running late, it puts you, your loved ones and everyone else on the road in danger,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman during the campaign’s launch event at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
The event featured notable figures, including NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain, Pullman National Historical Park Superintendent Teri Gage, and speed-related crash survivor Matthew Hamon. NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs player Xavier Worthy also contributed taped remarks. The speakers emphasized the deadly consequences of speeding and urged drivers to enjoy their journeys by slowing down.
Despite a slight decrease in speed-related fatalities in 2022, speeding still contributed to 29% of all traffic deaths that year. NHTSA's data revealed 12,151 people died and approximately 300,595 were injured in speed-related crashes, marking a 3% and 9% decrease from 2021, respectively.
The campaign will run through July 31 and includes English and Spanish ads across TV, radio and digital platforms. The initiative is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy, which focuses on safer speeds and reducing roadway fatalities.
NHTSA also highlighted that speeding is not just a highway issue; 87% of speeding-related fatalities in 2022 occurred on non-interstate roads. The comprehensive approach aims to tackle speeding on all types of roads to ensure the safety of all road users.
In 2023, significant actions were taken to address roadway safety, including awarding $1.7 billion in funding through the Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary grant program and accelerating the deployment of new vehicle safety technologies. These efforts are part of the Department of Transportation's ongoing commitment to reducing serious and fatal injuries on U.S. roadways.
As the summer travel season continues, NHTSA encourages drivers to slow down and prioritize safety to ensure everyone reaches their destinations safely.
