Most people have experienced the stress of running late to work, rushing to make a dinner reservation, or hoping they won’t miss the first minutes of a movie. In these moments, it’s easy to speed. However, those spare minutes are never worth the risk that comes with speeding. Even on long drives, where open stretches of road make it tempting to push the limits, excessive speed dramatically increases the likelihood of a crash and the severity of injuries when one occurs. Time and again, data show that speeding remains one of the leading contributing factors in serious and fatal crashes; for over two decades, speeding has been linked to about a third of all traffic fatalities in the U.S.
Several elements contribute to the link between speeding and fatalities in recent years, including the increasing size of vehicles, which raises kinetic energy on impact; the growing power of vehicles, which observational studies show is associated with higher speeds; new driver support features such as adaptive cruise control, which may not always work as intended; and cultural norms that glorify speeding through media and marketing.
To understand why these factors matter, it helps to define exactly what speeding is and why speed limits exist. Speeding is a driver behavior defined as traveling above the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road, traffic, or weather conditions. Speed limits are established based on road design, curvature, surrounding land use, and the likelihood of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. Driving above these limits can make crashes far more severe, and in many cases, excessive speeding can be the difference between life and death.
In this study, we examine excessive speeding’s role in fatal crashes using five years of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Excessive speed is often considered 15–30 mph over the posted limit, with definitions varying by each location’s traffic laws; for this analysis, we define it as any travel more than 20 mph above the limit. We investigate trends over time, which drivers are most likely to speed excessively, the types of vehicles involved, and the locations where these crashes occur given available records.
It’s important to note that states do not consistently report traveling speed across all fatal collisions. All findings are based on available data only.
Read on to uncover our findings.
Key Takeaways:
- 5,981 fatal incidents involved drivers traveling at excessive speeds (at least 20 miles over the posted limit) between 2019 and 2023. These incidents have resulted in 6,909 lost lives.
- There was a 50% increase in fatal crashes involving excessive speeding over the five-year observation period, peaking with 1,331 in 2021 before falling slightly through 2023.
- Nearly a quarter of all drivers who were involved in fatal crashes for excessive speeding were under the influence of alcohol.
- Men were six times more likely than women to be speeding excessively in fatal crashes. Among them, young men aged 21-24 were most likely to present this behavior.
- Florida reports the most drivers traveling at excessive speeds in fatal collisions, with over 1,000.
- A quarter of all drivers involved in fatal crashes at excessive speeds were motorcycle riders.
- The Suzuki 750cc was the top vehicle model for drivers traveling at excessive speeds in fatal crashes.
- 2,694 fatal incidents involved drivers traveling 100 mph or over, resulting in over 3,000 fatalities. Driving at this speed is almost always considered reckless driving across the U.S.
- The Dodge Charger is the most represented vehicle model in crashes involving drivers traveling at triple-digit speeds.
Excessive Speeding in Fatal Crashes
Between 2019 and 2023, there have been a total of 5,891 incidents where at least one driver was excessively speeding. These collisions have resulted in a total of 6,909 fatalities. While we define excessive speeding as 20 mph or more over the posted limit, the chart below breaks this into specific speed ranges to show how fast drivers were actually going.
The highest speed limit in the U.S. is 85 mph, so large speed differences are relatively uncommon. As drivers exceed the posted limit by greater amounts, the number of drivers decreases. However, even a 20 mile difference is considered reckless driving in certain states, including North Carolina, Virginia, Arizona, and Arkansas. For example, in May of 2025, a fatal crash in Woodbirge, Virginia, involved a driver traveling 20 miles over the 45 mph speed limit; the driver was charged with involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving.
When Excessive Speeding Occurs in Fatal Crashes
Below, we break down the total number of crashes by year to show speed-related collision trends have changed over time.
Over the study period, crashes involving excessive speeding have increased by 50%. On average, 18% of fatal crashes involved excessive speeding, when both travel speed and speed limit are known. In 2021, the most incidents were recorded with 1,331, yet 2022 showed the highest proportion. These trends reflect broader national fatal crash trends where 2021 recorded the most fatalities since 2005, before 2022 and 2023 started to see a decrease. Additional years of data are needed to determine whether this decline will continue.
When examining speed-related crash occurrences more granularly, certain hours show clear peaks. The chart below details the hours of the day with the highest and lowest proportions of drivers who were involved in fatal crashes at excessive speeds.
A small peak is observed at midnight, likely due to nighttime activities and fatigue, with the main peak occurring in the evening hours from 6 to 9 pm. This block of hours comes right after rush hour, where post-work, congestion subsides and the opportunity for speeding increases. Drivers may feel overconfident or impatient to reach their destination, which increases the likelihood of traveling over the speed limit. Social events also typically start around this time. The hours that follow represent the times at which individuals may start returning home from social gatherings and other outings, which increases the likelihood of impaired driving and compromised judgement.
According to our findings, nearly a quarter of all drivers involved in fatal crashes at excessive speeds were under the influence of alcohol. Several high-profile speeding incidents often highlight alcohol involvement. For example, in July 2025, a man caused a triple fatal crash in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol at 40 mph over the limit. More recently, in August 2025 in Wichita, Kansas, a driver suspected of being under the influence was traveling 50 mph in a 30 mph residential zone when they crashed into another vehicle, causing it to flip; the victim died at the scene.
The hour of 8 am sees the lowest proportion of drivers who were involved in fatal crashes traveling at dangerous speeds. This hour and those that follow are typical commuting times, with congestion at its heaviest. Police patrolling is also more likely during the early morning and midday.
Who is Speeding Excessively?
Here, we look at which individuals are most likely to be driving at excessive speeds in fatal crashes.
Our research finds that young men are much more likely to be driving speeds at least 20 miles over the posted limit in fatal collisions. Historically, men have always been more likely to be involved in fatal crashes due to riskier behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and driving without a seat belt, among others. The National Safety Council reports that men are about twice as likely as women to be speeding in fatal crashes. However, our data reveals that the gap widens significantly at extreme speeds. When speed reaches 20 mph or more over the limit, men are more than six times as likely as women to be involved in a fatal collision.
On average, 11% of drivers involved in fatal crashes travel at excessive speeds, but by age, young drivers are about twice as likely. Twenty-one percent of drivers aged 21 to 24 were involved in fatal crashes at excessive speeds. Younger drivers aged 16 to 20 were the second leading group. This demographic lacks the experience and awareness of the risks associated with driving. Moreover, impaired driving is more common among young adults in fatal crash data, and when drugs or alcohol are involved, judgment and reaction time are severely reduced. In 2023, the NHTSA reported that 28% of drivers aged 21 to 24 involved in fatal crashes were impaired, the highest proportion of any age group.
Where are Drivers Excessively Speeding in Fatal Crashes?
Below, we’ve mapped all drivers involved in fatal crashes at dangerous speeds. Hover over any point to reveal key details: the road’s speed limit, the driver’s speed, vehicle make and model, driver’s age and sex, alcohol involvement, year, and whether the crash occurred in an urban or rural area.
It’s important to note that only 35% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes report traveling speed, with wide variations by state. The only states that consistently report traveling speed, meaning speed is reported at least 80% of the time, are North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Colorado, Virginia, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Traveling speed is not directly measurable in many cases, and only newer vehicles have reliable onboard data recorders. Moreover, in several states, police reports don’t require an estimation, so officers may not always report one. These considerations all help explain the gaps in data. As a result, one will notice that these areas of the map are the most concentrated, while others are undercounted.
Among states with consistent reporting, Florida leads the nation with the most drivers involved in fatal crashes at excessive speeds, with 1,041; this is nearly double the number of drivers as the next highest state, North Carolina (568). South Carolina (368) follows in third. However, by share, North Carolina reports a slightly higher figure at approximately 10% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes exhibiting this behavior compared to roughly 8% of Florida drivers.
Beyond state trends, 64% of drivers involved in fatal crashes while traveling at excessive speeds were in urban areas, with the majority on state highways (28%). Certain highways stand out: 132 drivers were recorded on I-95, and 110 on US-1.
Florida Reports Highest Figure for Excessive Speeding in Fatal Crashes
Given that Florida homes the most drivers involved in fatal crashes at excessive speeds, we’ve outlined the top ten counties below.
Miami-Dade County ranks first with 136 drivers involved in fatal crashes at excessive speeds. The county hosts high-speed highways such as I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike that many commuters use to reach work and other destinations. This higher vehicle traffic creates greater risk when certain vehicles choose to speed excessively, weaving between others, and increasing the likelihood of late reactions to sudden stops or lane changes. Adjacent counties are also featured among the top ten, including Broward (75) and Palm Beach County (66).
On the West Coast, Hillsborough ranks second in the state with 96 drivers involved in fatal crashes at excessive speeds. The Tampa metro area faces similar challenges with high commuter traffic on high-speed highways. As the county stretches to rural areas, drivers may be more likely to accelerate towards excessive speeds, putting nearby pedestrians at greater risk.
The high tourist volume that these countries experience may also play a role. Pedestrians walking along beach towns, entertainment districts, and nightlife areas may also increase the complexity of driving.
Which Vehicles are Associated with Excessive Speeding?
Certain vehicle types appear more frequently in fatal crashes involving excessive speeding. The chart below presents the top ten.
Sedans lead the ranking, representing 32.7% of drivers involved in fatal crashes at excessive speeds. This likely reflects their prevalence on the road rather than an inherent risk. Motorcycles are the second most common body type, at 25.4%. Their high proportion is notable given their smaller share of total vehicles on the road, which the NHTSA reports as only 3% of all road users. Motorcyclists tend to travel at higher speeds more often than passenger car drivers, and their limited structural protection makes crashes more likely to be fatal when they do occur.
When it comes to reckless driving, certain vehicles seem to have earned a reputation. Below, we reveal the makes and models most often present in fatal crashes where drivers were traveling at excessive speeds.
Of the top 25 vehicle models, motorcycles appear nine times, with the Suzuki 750cc (or over) leading the ranking at 164 vehicles operating at excessive speeds in fatal crashes. These motorcycles are high-performance machines built and marketed for speed and rapid acceleration, and their overrepresentation highlights the risks associated with motorcycle performance culture, where riders may be tempted to show off or keep pace with others.
Several American muscle and high-performance cars also rank high, including the Dodge Charger (116), Dodge Challenger (57), Chevrolet Camaro (60), and Ford Mustang (68). Many of these models feature powerful V6 or V8 engines that enable reaching high speeds easily.
Some pickups also appear in the ranking, such as the Chevrolet Silverado (138), Ford F-Series (104), and Dodge Ram (83). While many trims of these vehicles offer V6 or V8 engines, their heavier weight and design priorities generally make reaching extreme speeds more difficult than with muscle cars.
Everyday sedans are also represented in the ranking, such as the Honda Accord (153), Honda Civic (104), and Toyota Camry (90). Their presence may primarily be attributed to their popularity, especially among young drivers, as they are often marketed as good first-time buyer cars.
Traveling at Triple-Digit Speeds in Fatal Crashes
While excessive speeding increases crash risk, some drivers take this behavior to an extreme, traveling at triple-digit speeds. Such speeds are extremely dangerous, as reaction time is severely reduced and the kinetic energy involved can produce devastating outcomes in collisions with other vehicles, fixed objects, or pedestrians and animals. Over the five-year study period, 2,694 incidents involved speeds of 100 mph or greater, resulting in 3,216 fatalities. In addition to drivers exceeding the speed limit by 20 miles or more, we’ve analyzed the top vehicle models for the subset of drivers who travel at speeds of 100 mph or higher.
The majority of vehicles from the previous ranking also appear on this list. However, the top-ranking vehicle model for triple-digit speeds is the Dodge Challenger, with 95 vehicles involved in fatal crashes. Muscle cars appear higher in this ranking, with all four models placing above their positions on the broader excessive-speed chart. All motorcycles are also still present. Some vehicles appear on this list that were not on the broader excessive-speed chart, including the BMW 3-Series (44), Infiniti models (Q50: 26; G25/G35/G37: 25), Volkswagen Jetta (27), and the Chevrolet Corvette (32).
Map of Drivers Involved in Fatal Crashes Traveling at Speeds 100 MPH +
The point map below displays all drivers involved in fatal crashes where they were traveling 100 mph or more. Hover over specific points for details on the road’s speed limit, the driver’s specific speed, vehicle make and model, driver’s age and sex, alcohol involvement, year, and area type.
Similarly, the map shows areas of high concentration that correspond with states that are consistently reporting speed data. While more comprehensive data is needed to truly compare state’s level of risk, these findings, along with state-level transportation data may help inform high-risk locations for high-speed traveling.
Methodology
We analyzed the most recent five years of crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from 2019 to 2023 to explore the role of excessive speeding in fatal crashes. The study examines two separate groups of drivers: those traveling 20 mph over the posted speed limit and those traveling at speeds of 100 mph or more. These groups may overlap, but each was analyzed separately using different methods.
For crashes involving drivers exceeding the posted limit by 20 mph, only incidents where the first harmful event involved a motor vehicle in transport were included. Crashes involving stopped vehicles were excluded. Records with missing travel speed or speed limit data were also excluded, as excessive speed was calculated from the difference between these two values. While the maximum speed limit in the U.S. is 85 mph, all analyzed crashes occurred on roads with posted limits of 80 mph or lower. Drivers traveling 20 mph or more above the posted limit were classified as excessively speeding.
For the group of drivers traveling 100 mph or more, all harmful events were included. Since this analysis did not rely on posted speed limits, cases with unknown speed limits were considered, with filtering based solely on traveling speed.
Fair Use Statement
If you would like to share our findings, you are welcome to do so. We just ask that any online mentions include a link to the study so readers can access the full findings and methodology.