How does speeding increase your crash risk?

Speeding reduces the time you have to scan and assess your driving situation, which significantly contributes to an increased crash risk. When you are driving at higher speeds, you have less time to react to unexpected events, such as a pedestrian stepping into the road, other vehicles changing lanes, or traffic signals altering. The quicker you travel, the shorter the distance you can safely cover while making necessary observations and decisions. This limited time affects your ability to notice and respond to potential dangers, heightening the likelihood of a collision.

In contrast, while factors like reflexes, hazard quantity, and vehicle stability are also important in the context of driving safety, speeding's direct impact on your reaction time and situational awareness is what places you at higher risk for crashes.