Here is how this Provinces new Speed Laws are killing people. The well-publicised ruthless enforcement of these new speed laws has caused a noticeable level of paranoia on our highways. We have all heard the stories on our local news of motorists facing fees in excess of $5,000 due to speeds of 50kph over the speed limit. We hear that those being charged are doctors, nurses, soccer moms, American tourists, and young and old alike. In essence, normal contributing members of society are now facing extremely large fines and vehicle impoundment.
These new reports have created an atmosphere of paranoia out on our highways and there is a much greater number of motorists setting their cruise control right on the speed limit, in an attempt to demonstrate their absolute conformity with the law. But there is still a large number of drivers who feel the speed limits are set artificially too low and feel much more comfortable at 10-20kph over the speed limit.
This difference in speed would ordinarily not be too much of a problem, as passing the occasional "slow" vehicle was considered a normal part of everyday driving. But with the recent increase in drivers strictly obeying highway speed limits, passing has become a very deadly manoeuvre. The speed laws also apply to drivers who are in the process of passing another car, so a result is that very few drivers "risk" a massive ticket by passing at increased speed. In fact, most just don't pass at all any more. This causes long lines of cars that are travelling at an uncomfortably slow pace. Drivers tend to exhibit their displeasure by following the cars ahead much closer than they would if they were travelling at a more appropriate speed. Eventually, someone has had enough and decides to start passing one car at a time until they clear the "do-gooder" at the front of the line. Now there was a time when most cars were quite powerful and passing several cars at a time was not that difficult. But a majority of modern cars have rather weak engines, so re-entering the line of cars will likely be necessary. The problem is that most of the cars in the line are so close to each other there is insufficient room for the passer to get back in line upon the approach of oncoming traffic. I have also seen (on more than one occasion) where it's apparent that some drivers being passed become enraged at the very thought that someone would have the nerve to pass them, and they close the gap even further in order to demonstrate their displeasure with the passer.
Of course, when a tragic head-on collision occurs, we are quick to blame the "aggressive" passer who is at fault and needs to be made an example of, by publicly condemning his actions and praising those law-abiding drivers glued to the speed limit.
The question often gets asked, "Why can't everyone just accept the speed limit and conform to it"? We're dealing with human beings here, and never in the history of motorized transportation have we been able to make everyone feel that the posted speed limit is an acceptable speed at all times. Part of being human is taking various factors into account when determining an acceptable speed, such as road conditions, vehicle type and condition, visibility, etc. So why would we think that we could now suddenly ram these speed limits down everyone’s throats and maintain robot-like processions of mono-speed vehicles quietly moseying along on down the road. I, for one, understand human behaviour well enough to know that you will NEVER convince everyone to just accept their spot in line in a procession of cars, forced to abide by the speed limit by a handful of strictly law-abiding drivers making their daily commute.
Keep in mind that highways are designed to appease both slower and faster drivers. Lines are painted down the centre in either solid or dashed patterns to assist drivers with their decision on whether passing should be considered or not. We have laws that establish a safe following distance when travelling behind another motorist, and we have laws which require that drivers assist an overtaking vehicle with re-entry should apposing traffic cause the overtaking driver to abort his pass.
So why doesn't our Provincial Police Chief attack motorists who follow too close, and fail to assist overtaking drivers in an effective manner? Why do we not hear a steady flow of news reports concerning police efforts to enforce safe following distances, particularly with this increasing phenomena of longer and longer lines of cars moving in slow formation for mile after mile, after mile?
I'll tell you why: Because we expect our police officers to discard the human element as it relates to modern day traffic. We don't expect them to understand human psychology, or the complex interactions between vastly different behaviours of drivers out there on the roads. We expect our police to be nothing more than authoritarian enforcers of rules, statutes, and such. In fact, though I believe Chief Fantino has created a deadly recipe out on our roads, I would not really expect anything different from him. My question is how could our Provincial government allow Chief Fantino to apply his ridiculously tough measures to eradicate what he sees as the problem out on our roads. Frankly, I would have expected our Provincial politicians to protect its citizens from such a heavy-handed authoritarian such as Chief Fantino, not praise him.
The speed and stunt laws that were clearly intended to curb the problem of street racing in the greater Toronto area have had far-reaching effects on rural residents and American visitors to our Province. The typical expense for a roadside charge under Bill 203 is between $4,000 and $5,000. How many of you readers are in a position to manage such an enormous expense. And be advised, this is before your insurance company catches wind of your charge. The total penalty will clearly exceed $10,000 or more over the next three years. Now compare this to a "Following too Close" charge: $85.00 plus court costs. I'm not convinced that squealing your tires, or poppin' a little wheelie on your motorcycle is 80-times more dangerous than that guy who's about to rear-end you because he's driving so darn close to your rear bumper!
Redirecting our efforts on proper traffic etiquette and lane use would do so much more for our efforts at achieving fewer traffic fatalities. Many European countries have followed a more “common-sense” approach to traffic law and their safety record reflects their success, even though many of their expressways have NO speed limit whatsoever!! (for specified vehicles). I anxiously wait for the day when a Chief is appointed who will restore a sense comfort and put drivers back at ease during their daily commute. The very real sense of fear at the sight of a marked patrol car does not make for a safe environment out on the highway. And now that Chief Fantino is pushing for a revision that would see these extreme penalties be imposed on drivers caught at a just 31kph over the limit, the roads are going to be populated by panicked drivers focused so closely on their speedometers, they’re not likely to see that stopped vehicle ahead, or that train approaching, or that patch of ice on the road, etc., etc., etc.!!
Every year, I read about fatal collisions on our local 2-lane highways and I can’t help but believe they will only increase (despite these new speed laws) due to the scenario I have outlined in this article. Just last week, we lost a young family-man to a head-on collision with a dump truck on the edge of town, prompting me to put my thoughts, concerns, and suggestions out there for all to consider. I can only hope someone with real influence in this Province will find a way to repeal Bill 203 and redirect the Provinces traffic safety initiatives in a more driver-friendly direction.
