Why Do Truck Drivers Drive So Fast in Wichita and Western Kansas?

Authored by Bradley A. Pistotnik — well-known and highly experienced Wichita truck accident lawyer; author of the book “Truck Accidents Kill,” and an authoritative speaker on trucking safety.

Coverage area: Wichita Metro (Sedgwick County and surrounding communities) and “Western Kansas,” defined here as any county west of a north–south line approximately 10 miles east of Topeka, bounded by Nebraska to the north, Oklahoma to the south, and Colorado to the west.

Because trucking is time-sensitive and often paid by the mile, some carriers and drivers feel pressure to maximize delivery windows. Federal rules already prohibit scheduling that would require speeding (49 CFR §392.6) and require obeying state speed laws (§392.2). In Kansas, speeding contributed to 4,354 crashes and 80 deaths in 2023, underscoring how dangerous speed is on our roads.

The Forces Behind Speed in Trucking

• Delivery windows & dispatch pressure — FMCSR §392.6 forbids carriers from setting schedules that necessitate speeding.
• Pay structures — Per-mile compensation can incentivize moving faster or skipping breaks unless the carrier manages safety properly.
• Road mix — Western Kansas features long rural stretches where perceived enforcement is lighter; large trucks are over-represented in rural fatal crashes nationally.
• Technology & data — ELD/telematics record speed and hours; carriers must retain HOS/ELD records for 6 months (49 CFR 395.8(k)(1)).

Local Data Snapshot (2023)

• Kansas recorded 59,865 crashes; 4,354 involved speeding; 80 people died in speeding-related crashes. Heavy/large trucks were involved in 3,478 crashes and 84 fatalities. (KDOT 2023 Crash Facts)
• 51.8% of Kansas fatal crashes occurred during daylight; speeding and inattention remain major contributors. (KDOT 2023 Crash Facts)
• Nationwide, 55% of fatal large-truck crashes occurred in rural areas and 76% on weekdays. (NHTSA 2023 Large Trucks)

What Speed Evidence Looks Like in a Claim

• ECM/“black box” and telematics speed traces around the event
• ELD and dispatch data (pickup/delivery windows, route)
• Roadway evidence: skid marks, crush patterns, reconstruction
• Carrier records showing policies, training, and discipline for speeding

Enforcement & Reporting in Kansas

• Immediate danger on a Kansas highway: call *47 to reach Kansas Highway Patrol (or *KTA on the Turnpike); call 911 for emergencies.
• Within Wichita city limits: report patterns to WPD's Traffic Complaint portal; non-emergency line: 316-268-4111.
• County roads: Sedgwick County Sheriff traffic safety issue form for hazards/persistent speeding areas.
• Unsafe CMV practices anywhere: file with FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database (NCCDB).

If you were hit by a speeding truck, we secure electronic data fast and preserve it with spoliation letters. Motor carriers and their drivers commonly violate the laws and regulations affecting commercial motor vehicles. When you or a loved one is injured due to a car accident with a motor vehicle driver call the Bull Attorneys. We can help you get just compensation for your injuries. Call us 24/7 on 316-684-4400.