30

May
2013

The Price of Speed

May 30th, 2013 | by admin admin | in Safety Advice |    0   

Planning your summer road trip? You’re a safe driver. You would never drive dangerously fast, right? Excessive speeding—driving more than 40 km/h above the speed limit--happens more easily than you’d imagine. Police hand out about 10,000 tickets every year in B.C.

Let’s say you’re heading up to Whistler or into the Okanagan. Going with the flow of traffic, you’re clocking 100 km/h, perhaps 110. Take the exit for your campsite, or scenic hike. The limit suddenly drops to 50 or 60 km/h, but you don’t ease off the pedal quite enough. Sirens and lights go on. You’re busted.

You lose your SUV or camper for 7 days. Besides the towing and storage fees, and rental costs to continue with your vacation, you’re out a fine of $368 ($483, if you’re more than 60 km/h over the limit). Three penalty points on your driving record and your insurance rates go up. That brief lapse in judgement could cost you close to $2,000.

Aside from the hit to your wallet, there are the human costs of speeding.

• A pedestrian hit at 30 km/h has a 90 per cent chance of surviving.
• A pedestrian hit at 50 km/h has an 80 per cent chance of being killed.

Imagine the impact at 100 km/h. On average, 129 people die each year in accidents where speed was a factor (speeding, excessive speeding and excessive speeding for the conditions).

From May 15 to June 15, ICBC and BC police forces are running a road safety campaign about speeding and other high-risk driving, including:

• Failure to yield
• Ignoring traffic lights
• Tailgaiting
• Improper passing

So, slow down and stay safe. Save some dollars for your next vacation.

Sources:

B.C. Ministry of Justice

Excessive Speeding and Careless Driving

Motor Vehicle Fatalities in British Columbia, 2007 – 2011

ICBC

Road Risk Forecast - prepare for spring conditions

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, we encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.