Residential SpeedingIn many Delaware neighborhoods, reckless and high-speed drivers endanger innocent children. Because of these negligent drivers, Delaware children are frequently hit by speeding cars. In fact, the Delaware Department of Transportation, or DELDOT, has compiled research proving that excessive speeding in neighborhoods leads to large numbers of deaths and injuries. The Department of Transportation reports: “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children of all ages, 2 to 14 years old” (“Barnstorming Neighborhoods”). Surprisingly, this explains why of all the possible causes of death for a child, being hit by a car ranks first. This clearly illustrates the magnitude of the speeding problem in neighborhoods, proving that speeding presents a danger that contributes to the deaths of many children. Residential speeding is a widespread, serious and long-standing problem throughout Delaware that deserves to be addressed. This term “residential speeding” refers to traveling faster than the safe speed limit in a neighborhood or school zone, putting children at risk. . Increasing speed reduces the time children need to move out of the way of an oncoming car. Additionally, according to Wray Herbert, a psychologist who has studied why children are likely to be hit by cars, "faster-moving cars appear less conspicuous than slow-moving cars, creating a dangerous illusion that fast cars do not approach…. Children could not reliably detect a car approaching at speeds greater than 20 miles per hour” (Herbert). Faster cars seem to be further away in children's minds and therefore do not view them as a threat. Therefore, they are less likely to react to a speeding car. ...... middle of paper ......ng is an ongoing problem. Residential speeding has been around since the 1960s and has still not been properly addressed. Clearly, given the number of children hit by cars each year, this problem is still relevant today. This affects many children and their families throughout Delaware by increasing the risk of a child being struck by a car. It also increases the likelihood that a struck child will suffer a serious or even fatal injury. Despite the innovative and effective speed control methods created by traffic engineers, speeding remains a problem because too few neighborhoods have adopted the new speed control solutions. In order to combat this deadly and widespread problem, more Delaware neighborhoods should begin using speed control methods such as speed bumps, speed cushions and roundabouts..