Road safety
Speed
Speeding is a major contributing factor to car crash fatalities in B.C. The faster you go, the longer it takes to stop – and the more dangerous a crash can be.
So slow down and give yourself extra time to get to your destination. It’s not worth the risk to yourself, and to others.
Small changes in speed can make a big difference
You need time to see and react before your brakes take effect and slow you down; reducing your speed gives you more reaction time and less braking distance is required. Each time you double your speed, the stopping power needed is multiplied by four. The faster you're driving, the more time and power your car needs to stop.
Tips to stay safe
Allow at least two seconds' following distance behind other vehicles in good weather and road conditions (three seconds on a highway).
Slow down for poor weather conditions or uneven roads and increase your following distance to at least four seconds. Remember that the distance required to stop increases in wet or slippery conditions.
Maintain your speed or slow down as someone is trying to pass you. Help the other driver get back into your lane by making room.
Plan your trip beforehand and be realistic about your travel time. Increasing your speed does not decrease travel time in a meaningful way, so if you're running late, accept the delay. Better late than never.
#NoNeedForSpeed
The cost of speeding
If you’re caught speeding, you end up paying in a number of ways – and the cost increases the more you speed.
Fines, tickets and penalty points
Every ticket for speeding includes three driver penalty points and a fine of $138 to $483. The cost increases the more you are over the speed limit.
If you have one or more excessive speeding tickets, you pay a driver risk premium based on convictions over a three-year period. This premium is paid on top of the cost of insurance and any other fines.
Vehicle impoundment
If going more than 40 km per hour over the posted speed limit, police can immediately impound your vehicle for seven days. This can escalate to 30 or 60 days for repeat offenders. You're then required to pay the vehicle towing and storage fees to get your vehicle back.
Gas
Besides the tickets, fines, point and premiums, you may also pay more for gas. Most vehicles operate most fuel efficiently when travelling between 50 and 80km per hour and when maintaining a consistent speed. When you increase your speed above this range or vary your speed too frequently, your fuel consumption goes up.
