More than half of the crashes that cause injury or death happen at speeds less than how many mph?

The correct answer highlights a critical aspect of traffic safety, which is that many accidents leading to serious injuries or fatalities occur at relatively low speeds. Specifically, more than half of such crashes happen at speeds below 40 mph.

At lower speeds, even though the potential for damage might seem less significant, the risk of injury still remains substantial. Vehicles traveling at these speeds often have less kinetic energy compared to those at higher speeds, but the consequences can still be severe. Factors such as the nature of the crash, the types of vehicles involved, and the vulnerability of pedestrians or cyclists make low-speed collisions particularly dangerous.

Understanding this information can be vital for drivers to recognize that speed limits and caution are necessary even when driving in urban areas or residential zones, where one might typically expect lower speeds. It reinforces the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings and the potential risks of operating a vehicle, as serious injuries can occur even at what are perceived to be "safe" speeds.