Have you ever ridden with a driver who gets excited about the idea that you are making excellent time? It’s almost like they view it as a goal or a way to prove themselves. They want to get to their destination as fast as possible.
Of course, “making great time” often just means driving faster than you should. If the speed limit is 60 miles per hour, and your GPS tells you exactly how long it should take to get there, arriving early just means you went faster than 60 mph. You broke the speed limit.
That’s a risk. Speeding drivers have less time to react in an emergency. They have a greater chance of losing control of the vehicle. If they get into an accident, it’s more likely that they’ll suffer serious injuries because they’re adding energy — speed — to the overall equation. That energy has to go somewhere, and transferring it to your vehicle and your body during a crash increases injury risks.
You may ask yourself why people drive like this, and this compulsion to make great time is one common reason. There may not even be a real reason to arrive early. They just feel like getting there quickly is a goal in its own right. It’s something they’re proud of and they may even brag about it later. Is that really a reason to put your life in jeopardy?
Unless this mentality changes, you’re always going to have speeding drivers. If one of them causes an accident, and you suffer serious injuries, you need to know how to seek compensation for your costs.
