Speeding Dangers
Few drivers think about the dangers of speeding. Often drivers speed because they are in a hurry, late for work or in the case of younger drivers, they are showing off or just ignorant of the chances they are taking by ignoring the speed limit.
Speed restrictions are laws put in place according to the kinds of vehicles and the amount of traffic on the road and what kind of area it is. Speed limits are meant to be followed in order to maintain safety. A driver who is going significantly over the speed limit is putting himself as well as other drivers at risk. Speeding is driving recklessly.
When drivers speed, often the only concern they have is possibly getting a ticket for violating the speed limit. A ticket means money and possibly points on your license which is an inconvenience but it is much more of an inconvenience to cause an accident because you are in a hurry.
When younger, inexperienced drivers speed, they are not only endangering themselves and their passengers, but they are endangering every other vehicle they pass on the road. The younger generation often sees themselves as invincible, but behind the wheel or as a passenger in a speeding car, they are vulnerable to injury or death. When we are teaching our teens how to drive, we do not seem to be getting the message across that speeding takes lives.
The focus with younger drivers seems to be not to drink and drive but not obeying the speed limits can be just as dangerous. In many states, young drivers are responsible for more deaths and injuries through speeding than by driving under the influence. Young drivers who arrogantly show off behind the wheel cannot respond to many situations behind the wheel because they just do not have enough experience driving to keep control of their vehicle when they drive at high speeds.
Even with some states having provisional licenses to keep young drivers from having a carload of teens has not cut down on fatalities caused by drag racing or speeding. Driver education needs to emphasize a driver's responsibility to follow speed limits and drive respectfully. Laws need to be stricter on speeding and driving recklessly especially if the driver is not under the influence. Of course, punishment should be strict for driving under the influence but often speeders who cause accidents that result in fatalities are not punished the way a drunk driver would be. Getting a speeding ticket for causing an accident that kills someone is not enough punishment for taking a life.
Young and old drivers should think when they get behind the wheel. In many high traffic areas, going over the speed limit is a reckless act that could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. There are many overly aggressive drivers on the road and on some highways, getting cut off is common. If you are speeding and are cut off even the more experienced driver can lose control and be involved in an accident.
Speeding is something that many of us do without thought of the consequences. When you lose someone you love due to speeding, the consequences last the rest of your life. The next time you get behind the wheel and are running late, avoid the temptation to ignore the speed limit. Your family and friends would rather you be late than have to go to your funeral.
