Seven in 10 American drivers say they often or always see drivers significantly speeding on highways, new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) reveals.
The study included focus groups and a national survey of approximately 16,500 drivers ages 16 and older. While most respondents agreed that posted speed limits are appropriate, many believed that driving 10 mph over the limit is acceptable and unlikely to result in enforcement, and nearly half believed that keeping up with traffic is safer than obeying the posted speed limit.
Three in 10 respondents said, “no one actually drives the speed limit, speeding is just the norm nowadays.” Highway speeding was the most observed risky driving behavior, with 74% of respondents often or always seeing vehicles driving much faster than the flow of traffic on highways. Respondents noticed residential speeding less frequently, with 45% observing the behavior often or always.
The study comes as speeding continues to have deadly consequences: Speeding was a factor in nearly 30% of traffic fatalities in 2024, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
State Data
Connecticut: 18% of Connecticut drivers surveyed consider themselves frequent speeders compared to 15% nationally, and 41% of Connecticut drivers surveyed said they speed sometimes, compared to 30% nationally. There were more than 7,200 speeding-related crashes in Connecticut in 2025, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository. Over 2,300 of those crashes resulted in injuries and 89 were fatal.
Massachusetts: 19% of Massachusetts drivers surveyed consider themselves frequent speeders, compared to 15% nationally, and 33% of Massachusetts drivers surveyed said they speed sometimes, compared to 30% nationally. In 2024, there were more than 6,400 crashes in which speed was a contributing factor, according to the Massachusetts IMPACT Crash Data Portal. More than 2,100 of those crashes resulted in an injury, and 66 were fatal.
New Jersey: 23% of New Jersey drivers surveyed consider themselves frequent speeders compared to 15% nationally, and 34% of New Jersey drivers surveyed said they speed sometimes, compared to 30% nationally. There were more than 13,000 crashes attributed to unsafe speeds in 2024, according to Numetric. More than 8,100 of those crashes resulted in injuries and 114 were fatal.
New York: 18% of New York drivers surveyed consider themselves frequent speeders compared to 15% nationally, and 29% of New York drivers surveyed said they speed sometimes, compared to 30% nationally. There were more than 30,000 crashes attributed to unsafe speeds in 2024, according to the New York Traffic Safety Statistical Repository. More than 11,000 of those crashes resulted in injuries and 304 were fatal.
Rhode Island: 15% of Rhode Island drivers surveyed consider themselves frequent speeders, in line with the national percentage, and 40% of Rhode Island drivers surveyed said they speed sometimes compared to 30% nationally.
Why People Speed
The top reasons respondents reported speeding included to get around slower drivers (31%), to reach their destination faster (25%) and to avoid holding up traffic (21%). The top reasons for obeying the speed limit included to avoid getting a ticket (79%), to avoid being involved in a crash (72%) and to account for bad weather (60%).
Countermeasures
The study found that drivers generally prefer countermeasures that encourage safer speeds over those that physically force them to slow down: 87% of respondents supported increased police presence in areas with crash history, and 75% supported the use of automated speed cameras in those areas.
More than half (51%) of drivers said they want advisory Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) — in-vehicle warnings or alerts when a driver exceeds the speed limit — in their own car. Drivers were less interested in installing ISA devices that physically limit speed in their own cars but were very supportive (82%) of requiring such devices for drivers with a record of serious speeding offenses.
Support declined for infrastructure-based countermeasures, although the measures were viewed as effective. Just 33% of respondents supported installing speed humps in areas with crash history.
Tips for Drivers
Drivers should choose their speed based on:
- The posted speed limit. Think of it as a benchmark for a safe and appropriate speed.
- Visibility. What you can see determines how much time you have to react.
- Road conditions. Weather and traction affect your ability to stop safely.
- Space around your vehicle. Don’t let surrounding traffic dictate your speed; leave yourself enough room to respond to the unexpected.
If you find yourself driving the speed limit while everyone around you is speeding:
- Stay in the right lane and avoid driving in the passing lane.
- Maintain a steady, predictable speed.
- Increase your following distance and watch for faster vehicles approaching from behind.
“As speeding becomes more normalized and increases the risk of serious and fatal crashes, it’s important to remember that the safest speed isn’t the one that everyone else is driving, it’s the one that gives you enough time and space to react when something unexpected happens,” said Jillian Young, director of public relations for AAA Northeast. “Changing attitudes around speeding will take time, but drivers can make a difference now by making safe speed choices every time they get behind the wheel.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is speeding considered a major traffic safety concern?
Speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time, increases stopping distance, and raises both the likelihood and severity of crashes. According to NHTSA data, speeding was a factor in nearly 30% of 2024 traffic fatalities.
2. Why do many drivers believe speeding is normal today?
AAA Foundation research found that many drivers regularly see others exceeding speed limits, particularly on highways. Three in 10 respondents said, “no one actually drives the speed limit, speeding is just the norm nowadays.”
3. What are the most common reasons people say they speed?
Survey respondents most frequently cited:
- Getting around slower drivers (31%)
- Reaching a destination faster (25%)
- Avoiding holding up traffic (21%)
4. What measures do drivers support to reduce speeding?
Drivers showed the most support for targeted enforcement measures, including increased police presence in locations with a history of crashes and the use of automated speed cameras in those areas.
5. What is Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)?
Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology uses in-vehicle alerts or interventions to help drivers stay within posted speed limits. More than half of surveyed drivers expressed interest in advisory ISA systems that provide warnings when speeds exceed posted limits.
6. What can drivers do if surrounding traffic is moving faster than the speed limit?
AAA Northeast recommends:
- Staying in the right lane when appropriate
- Maintaining a steady, predictable speed
- Increasing following distance
- Remaining focused on road conditions rather than other drivers’ behavior
Last updated on August 18, 2026 by AAA Staff
Based in Rhode Island, Jillian Young is AAA Northeast’s director of public relations. She regularly appears in local TV, radio and print media to discuss traffic safety, travel, insurance and more.
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This directly contradicts a study AAA itself conducted a few years ago, in which you found that when everyone around you is speeding, “going with the flow” – matching the prevailing speed – causes FEWER accidents. This makes sense, because speed discrepancies are one of the most common reasons for drivers to hit other cars. HOWEVER, if you DO have an accident, it is likely to be more severe – which also makes sense, because the car and its occupants will have a more severe deceleration in a crash, and the car may also suffer more severe damage. I distinctly remember that article, because I was surprised: I had assumed AAA would try to spin the data and insist that speeding was always ba-a-a-ad, but you presented the facts honestly.