At least they weren’t texting on a cell phone…
This morning, as I drove down the road going ~30 in a 30, I was passed like I was standing still by a motorist going what must have been 45. This is not new, but there were a few interesting things about this occurrence that jumped out at me… and started me on a mental rant that I am going to continue here…
First of all, in addition to zooming past me at a half again the legal speed limit… this motorist gave me a “what’s wrong with you” look. As if I, (the guy going the speed limit, for those of you keeping score at home) was the bad guy for impeding their progress.
Because of said look, I was able to easily recognize my antagonist as one of my states publicly elected officials.
Which started me to thinking… when it comes to character, what makes one law more important than another? Not getting caught, or getting caught and paying your fine, only to repeat the offense (most likely over and over again) is a poor proxy for doing the right thing.
And yet, I have heard this particular person pontificate on ethical and social issues, appearing to allege some sort of high moral ground. How, really, is this person anything more than a common criminal. And, again, most likely based on the entitled and frustrated look they gave me for going the speed limit, a probably repeat offender.
I see people consistently getting upset about or teasing others going too slow; when those others are going the speed limit. I hear people justify speeding for well thought out reasons like “there is no way this road should be a 35.” And I hear others agree with them, encouraging lawlessness.
I do it too, in jest anyway. I speak of stop signs with a white border as being optional. I try my best to actually stop every time, but, in joking about it, I recognize I am enabling and encouraging those who do not. I am part of the problem.
So, how big is this problem? Lets look at a few statistics (taken from a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report:
- The economic cost to society of speeding related accidents is estimated by the NHTSA to be $40.4 Billion (thats ~$77,000 a minute or nearly $1300 per second).
- Speeding is a contributing factor in 30% of annual fatal car crashes (and lest you think I am comparing apples to oranges - roughly 30% of all fatal accidents occur in speed limits of 35mph or less - more like 45% of non-interstate fatalities)
So you tell me, am I being overly dramatic in calling this “lawlessness” or in identifying these people as common criminals? Or… are you perhaps comfortable with people laughing about or even, at times taking pride in committing a crime that is responsible for nearly 2,000 fatal car crashes and costs society $40.4 billion a year?
By the way, they were also drinking coffee and subsequently driving one handed… but that’s a different story for a different day…