Apr 25 2012
Beat the Cops at Their Own Game
If you have a trip of 100 km. (pronounced: KIL’ o-meters) (62 miles), and you travel at 120 kph (75 mph) which is acceptable, in a 110 (70) ‘speed zone’, you will arrive 50 minutes later. If you increase your speed to 130 kph (80 mph), you will save 4 min. Unless it is the difference between catching and missing a train, the potential loss is vastly greater than the win. That speed will definitely cost you in gas and will possibly cost you in: safety, delay by the cops, and fines. Four minutes is not worth all that.
Now, multiply your trip times 4, i.e.: 400 km. and drive 120 (75), you will arrive 3:20 later. If you drive at an increased speed of only 10 kph (6 mph), i.e.: 130 (80), you will save only 15 minutes. Over a time of 3 hours, 15 minutes is negligible and, hence, just not worth it, considering that you also increase the likelihood of being stopped by the cops, and the consequences of a potential mishap.
With several provincial and state parks, along the route, where the “speed limit” is 90 (55), a 400 km. (248 mi.) trip will take you 4:26. If you consider that 120 (75) is still an acceptable speed, then the 3:20 trip means you would save over an hour. That is dramatic but what is even more dramatic is that, almost certainly, you will get stopped by a cop, or become very dangerous to either you or someone else, because the posted speed of 90 (55) MEANS that the conditions –wildlife, construction, or roads– are such that going any faster WILL create a problem. I hit a deer a few years back and not only did it wreck the front of my car but also it so upset me, I had to stop for a half-hour. Had I been speeding, the situation would have been even worse. Also, consider that you cannot maintain that 120 (75) speed in those zones, simply due to those conditions. Ergo, you will not save yourself the hour, no matter what. However, the fines are egregious, the potential loss of life becomes frightful, and just being stopped by a cop will cause you to lose about ½ the time of your anticipated saving. So, it simply is NEVER worth it to speed.
The MOST IMPORTANT reason not to speed is: the cops WANT you to speed. We all know that they don’t give a damn about our safety; they care about collecting revenue, getting promotions, and making us miserable. Since they have abandoned their role as Peace Officer and their true purpose, which is to protect us, we ought to have nothing to do with them. They have no right to stop us unless they witness a breach of the peace, so, for ALL our sakes, please do not ‘make their day’ by speeding. It is NEVER worth the short-lived, only slightly possible saving of some time. Take along some tunes, or an audible book, or a friend and enjoy the ride.
Make the cops miserable. This is the best way to do it. I thank you and your family thanks you.
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