Silly stunts
There seems to be an ever increasing number of motorists who are putting themselves and others at great risk by far exceeding the speed limits.
Every day more than 30,000 vehicles travel along Nova Scotia’s Highway 102, each driver trying to get from point A to point B in timely fashion.
However, while the speed limit for the highway is 110 kilometres per hour, a recent string of speeding charges shows some drivers are reaching speeds of more than 170 km/h, which leaves fellow motorists feeling nervous and unsafe.
“It’s quite scary actually, especially when you don’t know if these people who are speeding are experienced drivers or why they are speeding,” said Kyle Murray, who drives from Truro to Halifax every day for work.
In July, nine stunting charges were laid against drivers around the province, including a case involving a speed of over 100 km/h through a residential area.
In Nova Scotia, a stunting charge is levied against drivers caught going 50 km/h or more above the speed limit. The charge carries a minimum fine of $2,422.50, vehicle impoundment and an automatic seven-day licence suspension.
While police are hoping harsh
fines will deter speeders, Murray says speeding is more common than ever.
“Back in the mid-2000s, the typical speed for cars on the 102 was 100 to 110 km/h. Now, just to keep up with the flow of traffic, you’re going anywhere between 120 and 140. If you’re doing 110 km/h on the highway, you are considered a slow driver.”
While some may be quick to point their fingers at young people getting behind the wheel and speeding, a changing society and faster cars might be to blame.
“Gender and age don’t seem to be a contributing factor in these charges,” said Cpl. Dal Hutchinson of Halifax district RCMP.
“In my experience, there are a number of factors in this. Our vehicles today tend to be more reliable, have more power and are able to reach higher speeds than what they could have 10 to 15 years ago. We also live in a society where everyone is in a rush.”
“It’s quite scary actually, especially when you don’t know if these people who are speeding are experienced drivers or why they are speeding.”
Kyle Murray, who drives from Truro to Halifax every day for work.
Recently, a 72-year-old man was charged with stunting after he was caught doing 106 km/h on Barrington Street, a 50 km/h zone.
A Newfoundland and Labrador man was also caught for stunting after going 174 km/h down Highway 104, 64 km/h over the speed limit.
“There is more traffic on our highways and roads than ever before,” said Hutchinson of the dangers of speeding.
“We also have lots of wildlife, and whether it be a raccoon, a coyote or a moose, you’ll have no control over your vehicle if something runs out in front of you at that speed.”
Hutchinson also commutes along Hwy 102 every day for work, and sees the same increase in speeding others do.
While some people may feel the charge isn’t a big deal, most don’t realize how it will affect them afterwards, said Hutchinson.
“The biggest thing a stunting charge impacts is your driver’s licence,” he said.
“When you renew your licence, you will most likely have to retake the test. Another thing it impacts is your insurance. If you’re charged with stunting, it will impact on, not only the cost of insurance, but also if you can get insurance in the first place.”
While the increase of stunting charges may convince a few people to slow down, there needs to be more enforcement along the highway, and police need to get more creative in their tactics, said Murray.
“I know RCMP officers have a lot to do during the day and are spread quite thin. Having said that, you don’t see a lot of enforcement on the road, especially during peak traffic hours. You need to at least have a presence to make people slow down.”