By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — More than half of Arizona drivers say keeping up with traffic feels safer than sticking to the speed limit, according to a new survey that reveals how routine speeding has become.
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The study, conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, found that one in three drivers admitted to ignoring speed limits because they believe no one else follows them.
Research found many Arizona drivers consider driving 10 mph over the speed limit routine. Fifty-five percent of Arizonans surveyed said keeping up with traffic is safer than obeying speed limits.
The study showed that Arizona drivers believe speeding saves time. Some drivers see speeding as necessary when getting around slow traffic, avoiding holding up other drivers, or when they feel the posted speed limit is too low.
So when do Arizona drivers slow down? According to the data, 81% of drivers said they hit the brakes to avoid a speeding ticket, and 68% said they slowed down to avoid an accident. More than half said they ease off the gas to protect other drivers or when weather conditions worsen.
Arizona ranked second in the nation for deadly highway crashes in 2024, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Speed contributed to nearly 34% of deaths and 38% of injuries, officials said.
Despite the high number of reported speeders, many surveyed drivers showed strong support for additional safety measures. Data shows 82% supported having more police presence in areas with a high number of speed-related crashes, and 66% supported automated speed cameras in high-crash areas.
Support was more mixed for in-vehicle technology. Forty-nine percent of surveyed drivers said they support Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), such as dashboard alerts that warn drivers when they exceed the limit. However, that support dropped sharply to 25% when the technology actively restricted a vehicle’s speed without allowing the driver to override it.
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Motorists also showed limited enthusiasm for traffic-calming measures close to home, with less than half — 39% — saying they would support speed bumps in their own neighborhood.
To address Arizona’s speeding problem, Gov. Katie Hobbs signed HB 2417, known as the “Stop Super Speeders Law.” The legislation gives repeat speeders the option to install ISA technology rather than have their license suspended. The law is set to take effect in July 2027.
AAA officials said the posted speed limit should be treated as a maximum, not a minimum speed drivers must reach to keep up with traffic. They recommend leaving enough space around a vehicle to react to the unexpected and not letting surrounding traffic dictate driving speed.
To read the complete research report and state data, visit AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
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