Driving over the speed limit saves drivers an average of just 54 seconds per day, according to a study by the University of Minnesota. The research, which analyzed 120 million vehicle trips across the U.S. in 2021, suggests that the time gained by speeding is negligible when weighed against potential drawbacks.
Drivers who adhere to posted speed limits save between 2.4% and 3% on fuel consumption compared to those who speed. The study utilized national road network data, speed limits, and U.S. Geological elevation data for its analysis, focusing on roads with speed limits of at least 45 mph.
Researchers found that nearly half of the analyzed trips involved instances of speeding, with drivers spending approximately 12% of their travel time exceeding the speed limit. William Northrop, a co-author of the study, stated that while modern internal combustion engines have become more powerful and efficient, making high speeds easier to achieve, slowing down is a simple intervention for significant fuel savings.
"If your goal is to shave one minute off your time, then you've got to drive fast," said Northrop. "If your objective is to get to your destination safely and to save fuel, then you might drive slower than the speed limit."
The findings also highlight the increased risks associated with speeding. In Great Britain, for example, speeding was identified by police as a contributing factor in 20% of all fatal collisions in 2024. An additional 29% of fatal collisions were linked to drivers traveling too fast for conditions. In 2024, 4,952 people were injured in collisions involving speeding, with 185 fatalities.
Excessive speed can also exacerbate other driving errors, such as following too closely or driving while fatigued or distracted, thereby increasing the likelihood of a collision. The study indicates that speeding saves a mere 6.3 minutes per week or about 27 minutes per month for drivers.