It happens quite often that a speeding driver loses control over his vehicle. Some people speed to catch the green light, some to meet a deadline, the worst offenders speed for the mere thrill of speeding. But the consequence of all three could fatal in the end.
A point comes when a speeding driver either loses sense of the automobile mechanism – that a vehicle can overturn if one continues to speed along a bend – or loses control of the vehicle to the point of no return and crashes, even flips over a road divider.
And today’s middle-range cars being what they are – little more than painted cardboard boxes – there is little protection for the speeding driver against devastating consequences if he does crash or flip over.
The golden rule is never to speed and limit your thrills to 120kmph where that speed limit is allowed, generally on the highways beyond the city with thin traffic.
Speeding also results sometimes from unknowingly getting into a race with a driver in the next lane from a perceived sense of competition. This can make you oblivious of your surroundings as you solely concentrate on ‘beating’ thy neighbour! If the race is on a road with the traffic light not very far, and the light turns red, then you have had it.
Even otherwise speeding to catch the green light can be hazardous with, say, someone suddenly switching the lane in front of you to beat the light. Or the light itself turning red by the time you catch up but are too late to put the brakes in which case you would be guilty of jumping the red light and would face a hefty fine as a consequence.
And talking of fines for speeding, you must remember that while one is generally unable to keep track of one’s speed as it rises swiftly, the Traffic Directorate has made it clear that anyone crossing the speed limit by more than 10% is a candidate for a fine.
If you are speeding to catch a deadline, are late for an appointment, or are afraid of missing the matinee show of your favourite movie then the best advice one can give is learn to manage your time and plan your day taking into account certain eventualities. For instance if it generally takes 15 minutes for you to drive down from point A to point B, then better start 25 minutes in advance to factor into the time span delays due to a traffic jam or too many red light.
Happy driving.