Speeding Catches Up With Drivers in Pasadena Traffic Safety Campaign

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Pasadena Police Department are launching a month-long campaign to combat speeding, highlighting the deadly consequences of aggressive driving.

Underway now, the “Speeding Catches Up With You” initiative runs until July 31, targeting dangerous driving behaviors that contribute to traffic fatalities.

In 2023, speeding-related crashes claimed 11,775 lives nationwide, accounting for 29% of all U.S. traffic deaths — a slight drop from 12,157 fatalities in 2022.

Young drivers and motorcyclists face particular risks. Statistics reveal that 37% of male drivers and 19% of female drivers aged 15 to 20 involved in fatal crashes were speeding. For motorcycle riders, 36% of fatal crashes involved excessive speed, with riders aged 21 to 24 having the highest speeding involvement rate at 51%.

“A speeding-related crash can easily result in devastating injury or a fatality, because of the intense impact on the body,” said Pasadena Police Lieutenant Anthony Russo. “It may be thought of as falling from a multi-story building, with every 10 miles per hour representing one or multiple stories.”

The campaign emphasizes that speeding is a selfish choice that endangers not just the driver, but also passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Speed limits, developed through careful engineering processes, are designed to reduce crashes and minimize the impact of potential accidents.

“We are urging everyone to commit to keeping our roads and town safe by obeying all speed limits,” Russo said. “Slowing down is the right choice. Ultimately, ‘speeding catches up with you.’”

The program is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding.