Speeding and Work Zones
Higher speeds also increase the risk of a serious injury or death. For example:
- The chance of being killed in a collision at 80 km/h is 2 times higher than if you were travelling at 64 km/h.
- When a vehicle crashes at a speed above 80 km/h, the chance of death is more than 50%.
- In most cases, a pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling at 40 km/h or less survive, but will die if hit by a vehicle travelling at 60 km/h or more.
Reaction Time and Stopping
Speeding reduces the amount of time you have to react and your control over the vehicle increasing both the risk and severity of a crash.
The average reaction time — the time it takes to determine that a crash may occur, decide what to do and then do it — is 1.5 seconds. You need to give yourself enough time for a quick response and decisive action.
By reducing your speed, you give yourself more ways to find an alternative course of action and more time to react to avoid a potential collision. Even driving 10 km/h slower can make the difference between a close call and a fatal collision.
Speeding also significantly increases the stopping distance of a vehicle. As your speed doubles, your stopping distance increases 4 times. If your speed triples, your stopping distance increases 9 times
But speeding get’s me there faster…..or does it?
Research has shown that on a 10 km journey, you would save less than 1 minute by increasing your average speed from 60 km/h to 65 km/h. While on a 100 km journey, a reduction in speed from 110 km/h to 100 km/h added only between 2.2 and 5.5 minutes to the overall travel time.
Also, when driving faster, vehicles emit more CO² by consuming more fuel, forcing you to fill up on gas more often.
Another interesting stat: Speeds just over 5 km/h (3m/h) above the speed limit in urban areas are sufficient to double the risk of a crash. Travel at 20km/h (12m/h) over in a 60km/h (37m/h) zone, and you’re 32 times as likely to have a serious crash.
Why?
You travel further in the time it takes you to react to unexpected situations and sudden moves or turns.
You are likely to lose control of your vehicle on road curves and sharp turns.
Others – drivers or pedestrians – may misjudge your speed.
Finally, it takes your vehicle longer to stop with higher speeds.
And in the event of a crash, the severity of your injuries will be directly proportional to the speed you had at the time. The higher the speed, the worse your injury will be upon a sudden impact.
Posted Speed Limit and Road Conditions
The posted speed limit is the recommended speed for ideal weather conditions.
Reduce your speed if the road is:
- wet
- snowy
- icy
- covered by fog
- hard to see because of blowing snow
Work Zones
Work zones are usually clearly marked, with orange signs to show you're entering a highway construction area and black and white signs showing the reduced speed limit. Work zone signs on municipal roads and in urban areas may differ from highway work zones. You’re still required to slow to 60 km/h or the speed that’s posted when you enter the work area, and follow the directions of all signs in the zone.
You also must slow to 60 km/h when:
- approaching a law enforcement vehicle or emergency vehicle when stopped at the side of the road with its lights flashing
- passing Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure machinery or equipment when stopped at the side of the road with its lights flashing
- passing a tow or service truck with its amber and/or blue beacon flashing while it’s assisting a vehicle
To keep everyone safe, be patient and follow the direction of the signs in the work zone.