While it might seem counter intuitive, speeding doesn’t help you reach your destination faster, even if you’re passing cars. The biggest factor that slows drivers down is stop lights. It’s not only the time spent in idle; there is also the factor of deceleration and acceleration before and after them. This further reduces your time saved even as it raises your blood pressure. Instead, make a practice to plan your route, leaving ample time to get to where you need to go.
The added stress to fight the clock can’t be calculated, but is a big factor against making haste. Taking a moment to breathe deeply and be present can make an opportunity out of a stop light, instead of an inconvenience.
Driving faster than the posted limit raises the likelihood of a speeding ticket, which can cost an average of $150. Find where your state stacks up on ticketing speeders.
It’s just not worth the risk to speed. According to Lifehacker, here are some things you can do to make your errand running more efficient:
Plan out multi-stop trips efficiently: If you’re planning to hit up more than one location, the best thing you can do is to plan the most efficient route before you leave. There’s no perfect way to do this, but even a little extra forethought can prevent backtracking, which will save far more time than speeding.
Avoid left turns: While you’re planning out your route, or if you simply come across the choice while you’re out, choosing a right turn instead of a left one will not only save time, but gas as well. This doesn’t mean you have to ban left turns entirely in favor of ridiculous right turn schemes, but if you’re choosing between two gas stations on opposite sides of the road, the one on the right will take less time to get to.
Prefer roundabouts when available: Roundabout-style intersections may not be very common in the United States, but in the rare event that you can choose between a route that contains a four-way stop and a roundabout, the roundabout will be a more efficient system of coordinating traffic. All other things being equal, of course.
Last but not least, other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians all take to the road assuming that vehicles will maintain a speed close to the posted limit. Speeding increases the risk of accidents, some of which can be deadly. Be a safe driver, and save time and stress by maintaining the posted speed limit.
If you or someone you love is involved in a vehicle accident, don’t hesitate to contact Bill with questions about your options. He’s experienced with the unique nature of car accident cases, and works hard to get fast, fair, and full settlements for his clients.