Speed has such a simple definition "the rate at which something move with respect to stationery objects/ surroundings" But it is very important on the roads. Speeding is not just driving faster than the posted speed limit. It is also driving too fast for the prevailing weather , light, traffic and road conditions. Poorly maintained vehicles have high risks of crash even at regular normal speeds. And it doesn't only apply to motorist only, rather this applies very seriously to our Biker friends as well. So when you drive above the maximum speed limit or you drive too fast for the weather, road and/or traffic conditions, even if the posted speed limit is not exceeded; you are increasing your risk to be involved in a crash many folds.
In recent weeks if you open up Spotted / Crashed Wheels section, you will realize that every other day we are seeing a crash being reported, also these are not all the crashes everywhere happening daily. The one which are reported here might not be even 10% of daily crashes happening all over our country. Most of crashes apparently push us to think and judge that speeding is the major factor. It is difficult to determine the exact cause of every crash. It is also difficult to identify a single cause, because sometimes more than one factor can contribute to a crash. Even though speed may not be identified as the primary causal factor in a crash, it does play a critical role in the severity of many crashes because of the transfer of kinetic energy when things collide. Speeds just over 5km/h above the speed limit in urban areas, and 10km/h above the speed limit in rural areas, are sufficient to double the risk of a casualty crash.
I am sure everyone has read the first law of motion and kinetic energy while being in school. Let me refresh it for you one more time "An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force". and Kinetic energy can be defined as energy that a body possesses by virtue of being in motion. These two simple terms have a very strong application when we are in speed. So what is the problem with speeding.
Speeding increases the risk of being involved in a crash where someone is injured or killed. You travel further in the time it takes you to notice and then react to hazards (e.g. a child running onto the road in front of you). - You are more likely to lose control of your vehicle (e.g. on a curve). - Other road users may misjudge your speed (i.e. they may think you are travelling at the speed limit) and make a mistake.
There is a strong relationship between speed ,stopping distance and reaction time. Reaction time is how long a driver takes to see both a hazard and the time it takes the brain to realize the danger and process a reaction to a hazard for example, starting to brake. The braking distance is the distance that a vehicle travels while slowing to a complete stop. As your speed increases - so does the distance you travel while your brain is processing information and reacting to it , and so does the distance you need to stop. The average time it takes for most drivers to react to a risky situation on the road is 1.5 seconds. A driver who is fatigued or distracted (eg, using a mobile phone ) may take as long as three critical seconds to react.
The severity of your crash increases based on your speed at the time you crash. The greater the speed, the greater the chance of death or serious injury. In a collision, the vehicle?s speed decreases abruptly, while its occupants continue on toward the point of impact. The kinetic energy released equals the weight of your vehicle multiplied by the square of its speed. The energy released results in injuries. Therefore, the seriousness of a crash (ie. energy released), depends on the weight of your vehicle but especially on the speed. So now be your judge ; a crash at 60 km/h, is 44% more violent than one at 50 km/h. A crash at 100 km/h is 300% more violent than one at 50 km/h. Your vehicle travelling at 60 km/h would come to an almost complete stop in approximately 45 metres. However, if your vehicle was travelling at 65 km/h you would travel approximately 52 metres before you stop.
Speed limits are designed by professional on basis on conditions around the road. Speed limits are allocated according to the traffic level, the type of environment and the size of the road. Speed limits are set to ensure that all road users are kept as safe as possible. Few KMPH above limit in urban and built up areas, residential, school areas increase the risk of crashes. Also the crashes in urban populated areas results most injuries to the pedestrian or people in the surroundings rather then the driver behind the wheel.
This topic can be stretched to an undefined length and this is the topic about which everyone knows but still we all violate it. Do you think the thrill is more important than someones life or your own life? Or saving few minutes or seconds are more worthy than everything else. Are these few seconds more important than weeks and months in hospital? Life is precious, Please enjoy it and let other live and enjoy it too. Also if you are speeding and driving above speed limits in the city/ metropolitan areas, all your so called savings are lost by extensive braking and traffic. Biker should be extra careful and MUST obey speed limits too. In case of crash the outcome is much different then being in the car at same speeds. So going above speed limits is useless altogether.
Most important of all "CLICK IT".. Put on your seat belts, because even in a slow moving crash occupants without seat belts can suffer serious injuries. High speed crashes survival rate, you know better. Share your thoughts and spread the word.
"IT IS BETTER TO LOSE ONE MINUTE IN LIFE THAN TO LOSE A LIFE IN A MINUTE"
(Data credit from famers.com, QUT | CARRS-Q | Home)
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