Although speeding is one of the most common factors in motor vehicle crashes in the US, it is an underappreciated problem, involved in about 10,000 highway fatalities each year according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

More than 112,500 people died in speeding-related US highway crashes from 2005-2014. This is roughly equal to the number who died in alcohol-involved crashes over the same period. However, speeding gets far less attention.

In a speeding-related crash, there is a greater chance of being injured and the injuries are likely to be more severe or fatal.

The public is less aware of the risks of speeding compared with other risky driving behaviors. There is also less social stigma surrounding speeding than, for example, drinking and driving.

“Substantial reductions in highway crashes cannot be achieved without a renewed emphasis on the impact of speeding,” said NTSB Director of Research and Engineering Jim Ritter. “Lowering speeding-related highway deaths requires more effective use of countermeasures to prevent these crashes.”

The NTSB will publicly discuss a new safety study on passenger vehicle speeding July 25. The study examines proven and emerging countermeasures that can reduce the impact of speeding, but that are currently underused or ineffectively used. It will focus not only on speed enforcement, but also on how speeding is defined and how speed limits are determined.

Additionally, the study will highlight the scope of speeding-related passenger vehicle crashes, illustrate the risks of speeding and address some common misconceptions about speeding.

The NTSB meeting to discuss the findings of the safety study will be held at the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center.