Studies and Projects

Trends in Maine for Crashes Involving Illegal/Unsafe Speed
Information Provided by Police Crash Reports (1991-2000)

Maine Department of Transportation
August 16, 2001

· Speed related crashes have been on the increase over the last 10 years. In 1991, about 4,500 crashes occurred where at least one of the drivers involved was traveling at an illegal/unsafe speed. In 2000, the number was up to 5,800.

· The percentage of crashes involving speed is also on the rise, from 13.2% in 1991 increasing to 15.5% in 2000.

· Almost 40% of the fatalities in Maine involved crashes where drivers were traveling at an Illegal/Unsafe Speed.

· The leading types of crashes where speed was a factor include Rollover (39% of total Rollover crashes); Run off Road (35%); Object in the Road (30%); and Jackknife (29%).

· Nearly 1 in 4 “incapacitating” or “evident” injuries that occurred on Maine Roads had Illegal/Unsafe Speed as a contributing factor. The percentage of speed-caused injuries has been consistently greater over the most recent 5 years when compared to the 10-year average.

· Speed related crashes were most frequent in areas posted at 65 mph (21.5% of all crashes at this speed limit).

· Those aged 16 to 21 are most likely to be speeding prior to a crash. Sixteen year olds were reported to be speeding in 17% of crashes involving drivers of that age, trending lower to 14% for 21 year olds, and continuing in a downward trend as driver age increases.

· 9.6% of male drivers involved in crashes were reported as driving at an Illegal/Unsafe Speed. Females were at a 7% level. The contributing factor of speed is increasing for both genders, and in 2000 was close to the ten-year high.

· The percentage economic costs for speed-related crashes has ranged at 27% to 28% of all Maine crash costs for the period 1998 through 2000.

· Lincoln and Aroostook counties have the highest reported percentage of speed related crashes. Lincoln is at nearly 21% and Aroostook is at 20%, compared to the statewide average of 13.9%.

Notes:

1. All trends compare Speed vs. Total Number of crashes in Maine, except for Gender and Age, which compares Number of drivers with contributing factor of Illegal/Unsafe Speed vs. all crash-involved drivers.

2. All information covers a 10-year period (1991-2000) except for the Road Classification information that reports on 1997-2000 data.

3. For further information, contact the Safety Management Section at 287-3131.

Speed Study Graphics