Better slow than sorry. Slow the Fast Down.

Slow the Fast Down

A Few Extra Miles Per Hour Changes Everything

Speed affects stopping distance, crash energy, and the chance a person struck while walking survives.

25 mph: 85 feet stopping distance, like a 2-story fall. 14% fatality risk.
35 mph: 135 feet stopping distance, like a 4-story fall. 39% fatality risk.
40 mph: 164 feet stopping distance, like a 5-story fall. 57% fatality risk.
50 mph: 229 feet stopping distance, like an 8-story fall. 85% fatality risk.
  • At 25 miles per hour, stopping distance is 85 feet. That’s like a 2-story fall. There’s a 14% fatality risk.
  • At 35 miles per hour, stopping distance is 135 feet. That’s like a 4-story fall. There’s a 39% fatality risk.
  • At 40 miles per hour, stopping distance is 164 feet. That’s like a 5-story fall. There’s a 57% fatality risk.
  • At 50 miles per hour, stopping distance is 229 feet. That’s like an 8-story fall. There’s a 85% fatality risk.

The Dangers of Speeding

Life moves fast. Your car shouldn’t. Keep neighborhoods safe. Drive like your friends or family live there. Better slow than sorry.

Know the speed limit and follow the speed limit. It’s a limit. The speed limit is not a suggestion, or “Drive 15 miles an hour faster than what the sign says.”

Statistics

  • 25%

    Average risk of death for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 32 miles per hour.

  • 50%

    Average risk of death for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 42 miles per hour.

  • 2,201

    Citations issued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in April 2021 for driving over 100 miles per hour.

  • 30,508

    Citations issued by CHP for speeds over 100 miles per hour from January 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024.

  • 1,303

    People killed in speeding-related crashes on California roads in 2023.

  • 39%

    Percent of all fatal and injury crashes in California during federal fiscal year 2022-2023 (Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023) where speed was a factor.

Check out our latest campaign