Speeding..

[Slalomguy]

At the risk of possibly offending some people, I feel I must comment, after reading the 50+ thread. At least 3 people say they have been caught going between what, 130-145 km in a 80 km zone, and the conversation is about how to minimize the demerit points, fines and insurance costs.... Not one word about WHY they were travelling that fast in the first place, or the risks they could have imposed!!! And then the young people talk about getting discriminated against by the insurance industry!! Isn't this kind of driving just reinforcing what the insurance companies have been saying, when it comes to some young drivers????

On the QE2 highway, I always have the cruise control on (120k). One time, there was one car that kept slowly passing me, then I would catch up to him, he would eventually pass me again, etc.. I finally got tired of that, and took the Jetta up to around 145 for a couple of kilometers or so, to get this car well behind me--then I went back to 120k again. During that time, I was desparately hoping that I wouldn't get caught on radar, and also that I wouldn't have to take any kind of evasive driving action... That is the fastest I have ever had my Jetta up to--and I still have no idea of its top speed, after 17 years.. Going 35k over like I was, briefly, was, and always will be, unsettling for me..

[Smarty39]

Re: Speeding..

Well put...and I'm sure others feel the same

[R_Ethug]

Re: Speeding..

its easy.. i'm young therefore i'm invincible so i speed..

thats the psychological basis behind pretty much any decision by young people..

[Aleks]

Re: Speeding..

Well, I speed.....speed doesn't kill, poor control and not being aware of your surroundings and limitations does.....And before you get off on a rant about age and demographics, I'm 25, I have a flawless insurance record, and I see the consequences of poor driving daily at work...I'm trained to drive fast, assertive, and well in control...anyhow, if I can throw that cube van around in traffic, I sure as hell can my car.....Not saying everyone should speed, but you have to consider the fact that often times slow innatentive drivers are the cause of accidents, like the elderly, or other groups I won't name for sounding like a total *******....

[Stonewall]

Re: Speeding..

or other groups I won't name for sounding like a total *******....

Like female civic drivers? Most people know I certainly hate those!
I should toss in that most of the speed limits cater to vehicles that are 20+ years old. Technology has come a long way since then making it safer for people to travel at speeds greater then those posted, it is a shame though that comon sense has not come as far.

[tintin]

Re: Speeding..

There are vehicles that are 20+ years old on the roads though.

Alex, I realize you're trained to go fast in your Ambulance - you also have features that make it safer for you to do so. Just because the car handles better than it doesn't mean it should be driven faster.


Excessive speeders are selfish drivers.

[Electrofuzz]

Re: Speeding..

Funny thing is I dont speed in my truck or my VW or my Mustang... I only speed on my bike... So, I sold the bike. Something about 140 horsepower and 390 lbs that makes you go gah-gah-gah at 9000 RPM and 180 kmph...

But, like I said, the bike is sold... So no more speeding for me...

[R_Ethug]

Re: Speeding..

i think its impossible to not speed on a bike.. personally i think my jetta is a little too powerful for city driving and not wanting to speed.

[liquid]

Re: Speeding..

I tend to speed somewhat, but I usually set my limits at 20 over the speed limit. On my way home from Edmonton this weekend, I clicked the cruise in at around 125, and drove nicely.

I am not saying that speeding is ok... but I think people need to realize that speed is in my opinion less dangerous than driving half asleep, not paying attention, and chatting on the cell phone. The big thing is, people need to be aware and know the limits of what they are driving and where they are driving. I see people doing 160 on the highway, which in my opinion is definitely excessive. However, I would rather have a driver like Aleks cruise by me at 150 than drive next to a lady in an SUV on a cell phone with a dog on her lap.... that's for sure.

[Kor]

Re: Speeding..

Well, your post probably won't anger or offend anyone since this is always going to be a split issue. Hopefully we can discuss it like mature adults without things becomming too heated.

Why travel faster than the speed limit? Going faster has a number of benefits including (sometimes) being more fun and (always) getting to your destination earlier.

As for the risks imposed, not everyone agrees with the assesment of the risk that you or the government may have. As some people have mentioned, they do not agree that travelling faster is necessarilly more dangerous in every given situation.

If a person does acknowledge that there is additional risk in the situation, if it is risk to themselves then they might argue that they themselves should be able to make the decision about how much self-risk they are willing to accept. This is the same argument you could use to justify your right to do anything that is bad for you such as smoking, drinking, or riding a tricycle without a helmet.

Obviously other drivers and other cars on the road need to be factored in, and for most speeders if there are other cars around they will keep their speed more reasonable than if there are no cars around for this very reason.

Speeding is simply deciding that I myself am capable of making a decision about the relative safety of my chosen speed in a particular situation.

If a person does not agree with the justification(s) for the speeding law, then it is fairly easy to disregard it, since the only motivation for obeying would be the chance of being caught and punished (which is usually fairly remote).

[Khyron]

Re: Speeding..

I'm over 30 and speed almost all the time. I also roll through empty 4 way stops and drive 140-160 on the Edmonton route. The Jetta feels fine at 180, and only gets scary past 220. I don't drive that fast normally simply because of other drivers, bad roads and fuel economy. I don't launch at red lights, but I quickly get up to speed.

And as far as I'm concerned, I see nothing wrong with it.

Khyron

[R_Ethug]

Re: Speeding..

i do daily.. 100 on crowchild's 80 zone.. because well its a highway.. i do 130 on highway 2 why.. to keep up with traffic..

i do 60 on memorial.. 90 on glenmore.. and any other major road like mcleod i do 5-10 over unless traffic is heavy then i go with the flow

[Mr. Burns]

Re: Speeding..

In Calgary I do 10 over (non-deerfoot of course), deerfoot is 20ish over, and on the drive from Calgary to Vancouver I do whatever I can get away with. Normally I will find a heat shield and do 5km/hour less than he is. Last time James and I were coming back from Vancouver there was a guy in a red trans-am doing 180 the whole way back so we followed him staying about 1/4k behind him the whole way.

EDIT: 180km is the highest speed I have taken my car up to.

[Kor]

Re: Speeding..

there was a guy in a red trans-am doing 180 the whole way back so we followed him staying about 1/4k behind him the whole way.

God bless Trans-Ams

[Aleks]

Re: Speeding..

Excessive speeders are selfish drivers.

I guess I am....so everyone else is also selfish in regards to all aspects of driving habits, being semi's in the left lane, slow in the left lane, incorrect merging, etc. All aspects of driving are selfish, and you have to realize this is about the only continent that has a laxidasical attitude towards driving....People need to learn HOW to drive, and drive more aggresively, utilize those skills as basic as decision making and execution. The reason why driving "outside the law" is so dangerous in north america is ONLY because anyone can walk into a DMV office, not even have to speak or read english (translation service available!!), pay the $80 and walk out 1/2 and hour later with a drivers licence!!!!!! Yes, I'm very selfish.....