I-43 SB at Atkinson Drive on the Leo Frigo Bridge in Green Bay is temporarily closed due to a multi-vehicle crash, February 19, 2025. (WisDOT)
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Taking a drive down I-41 in Appleton you can see your fair share of drivers going over the speed limit, even in construction zones.
AAA’s new speeding study shows more and more drivers see anywhere up to 10 miles per hour over the limit as normal.
“People do use the speed limit as a benchmark, but they’ve kind of built-in an assumed threshold over the speed limit that they feel both comfortable driving and they think is allowable to drive,” explained Nick Jarmusz with AAA.
Jarmusz said the “built-in threshold” is based around police enforcement strategies and the drivers own experience being able to drive without being pulled over.
The study shows 3 in 10 drivers agree nobody drives the speed limit.
As for those who speed, 31% want to get around slower drivers. 25% want to get to their destination faster. 21% don’t want to hold up traffic.
Jarmusz said the flow of traffic is often the deciding reason for those who go over the limit.
“They feel that it’s safer to go with the flow of traffic even though the speed limit may be lower,” he said. “And they feel like they’re no going to get pulled over if everyone around them is going the same speed or faster.”
As for what makes drivers slow down?
Over 75% said they slow down to avoid a ticket. Just under 75% said to avoid a crash. While 60% slow down for weather.
While most prioritize getting out of a ticket, Jarmusz said drivers should always keep safety top of mind. Speeding is one of the leading factors contributing to deaths in crashes.
“Even when a crash is maybe not directly caused by speeding and losing control because of excessive speed, when a crash occurs at a higher rate of speed, that crash is more likely to be severe injury causing if not fatal,” he said.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has a webpage detailing speed limits, how they’re established, and how they’re enforced.
So make sure to take a moment to understand the risks involved with going over the speed limit the next time you’re stuck behind a slow driver or are getting tailgated on the way to work.
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