So here's my philosophy on speed limits. They are stupid. They serve no purpose other than to pad the coffers of whatever law enforcement agency decides they want to enforce them. Drivers should be able to drive as fast as they want on the road for as long as they want without speed limits to deal with/worry about/look out for. But (there's always a but), the penalties for at fault accidents or other losses of control should be so severe (25 years to life, for example) that people will think twice before pushing the pedal down just in case something goes wrong. The benefits of this are twofold. First, drivers such as myself who believe in filling the empty road ahead of them while maintaining full control of their vehicles will not have to deal with being pulled over for nominal speeding offences. And second, really bad drivers (and East Asians - I'm sorry; THAT stereotype is completely true), who weave dangerously through traffic and in general act like complete jerks on the road, will be forced to get their act together, because even the tiniest dent could cost them dear.
Think about it.
All this aside, I really don't mind getting ticketed every now and then because:
1. I see them as a yearly (more or less) premium for driving as fast as I want whenever I want. I'm always in control of the vehicle and I'm prepared for the occasional ticket if it means I get to save myself hours and hours in the car over the course of 12 months.
2. Every time the trooper returns my license with a fresh new ticket and says, "You drive safely now, Sir," without arresting me, I realize that I am not wanted in the United States for any major crimes. And that is a good feeling.
8 comments:
I was chuckling out aloud while reading the post, but the last point was killer. love it!
NP
Sir, your philosophy about driving is dangerous, reckless and quite tempting. If we can only somehow start a campaign and get you elected to the national highway commission.
And don't get me started on parking violations...
Whenever I hear the phrase "this new fee/fine will generate X billion dollars for the city" I cringe. You're not GENERATING any money, you're just transferring it away from a random group of well-meaning citizens in a fairly arbitrary manner. Except for the revenue generated by tourists, which translates to bad PR in an unfavorable ratio.
...youre not wanted ANYWHERE for any major crimes ...that is a relief!
hmmm 155?? i paid 220 here i dunno why....and count Mexican women with east Asians too....they drive like loose torpedoes without license, insurance and in someone else car.....and if they hit you they are gonna run away....completely agree with the speeding philosophy!!
"...premium for driving as fast as I want whenever I want."
sighhhhhhh.....
I could change the "not wanted" thing if you want me to.
Its actually quite funny how speed limits started in the US. Not for safety but to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They should be obsolete with the invention of the hybrid. The only useful limits are in school zones and the such.
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