Speeding vehicles on the roadways not only defy traffic regulations but are also a threat to public safety. One of the worst consequences of excessive speed is a fatal rollover accident.
These incidents, marked by vehicles overturning during collisions, leave a trail of destruction in their wake.
Physics working against safety
When vehicles speed beyond the limits, the balance between gravity and the vehicle’s stability changes. The force generated by high speeds increases the impact of sudden collisions.
This force, coupled with the vehicle’s inherent design vulnerabilities, increases the likelihood of a rollover. SUVs and trucks, with their higher centers of gravity, are particularly susceptible to flipping over during high-speed incidents.
Excessive force-breaking safety measures
In fatal rollover accidents, the risk of ejection is alarmingly high. Speeding increases the danger in this situation, as the force of the rollover is often too great for seatbelts to counteract effectively. Unrestrained occupants shoot out from the vehicle, resulting in fatalities.
Increasing pressure on the vehicle’s vulnerabilities
The design of a vehicle plays an important role in its susceptibility to rollover accidents when speeding happens. Inadequate stability features, such as a high center of gravity, poorly designed suspensions and bad tire traction, increase the risk of a fatal crash.
From 2019 to 2020, fatal vehicle accidents went up by 7% in America. The stark reality is that each instance of a speeding vehicle on the road is a potential catalyst for tragedy. Only through a concerted effort to address the root causes of fatal rollover accidents can this change.