Driving home from a trip to town last week, I came behind what looked like a ¾-ton pickup with a bunch of gear in the bed.
That vehicle was doing about 110-112 km/hr per hour, compared to my maybe 115 or so. Traffic was light, but there were enough turns ahead, and enough vehicles coming toward both of us as I tagged behind him, I was in no rush to get past him.
Not so with the pickup that pulled up behind me! That vehicle came up so fast, perhaps 130 or even 140. And he definitely wanted by!
As it happened, oncoming traffic increased. For the next seven or eight kilometres, passing wasn’t safe. Now, he was right on my tail. I, too, had moved up. If the fellow behind me was going to pass, he could make it by the two of us now.
And he did! Now, with a slightly clear road ahead, he hit the gas and flew by us both.
I was in no rush to do the same thing and besides, there was a gas bar coming up. People often drive out of that place without a care in the world, traffic included. No rush for me.
I am double glad I didn’t pass, too. Because, in the next couple of breaths, the fellow who had zoomed by signalled a left turn, and hit the brakes. He turned down a gravel road and disappeared.
Well, I hope it was some kind of emergency. That fellow couldn’t wait the whole, perhaps six seconds, he saved passing us both. As I like to say to myself, there is always some fool in a hurry to get to his, or her, funeral. Fun Fact: Going 130 instead 110 on a 30-km trip saves about 2.5 minutes.
Our provincial government is thinking of helping some of us drivers more. Even if the small amount of enforcement one sees these days, speed limits on most highways these days can be called suggestions. Not the law.
Our government wants to increase speed limits on divided highways from 110 km/hr to 120. Most of the traffic is moving that fast anyway seems to be the argument for the switch. You might call this “responsive” government. You know, like “a government that listens to you.” But honestly, I don’t recall anybody demanding higher limits.
In fact, I can only think of two road topics. Well three, if you consider potholes, narrow shoulders (OK four!) and general road conditions a safety topic. First is lack of enforcement to get those 140 km or more lead-footers off the road. Next is, who the heck decides how to paint solid yellow lines on hills where it is supposedly unsafe to pass? Where do I find the rules for this?
I don’t even count that other topic of speed cameras. I have always considered those a “voluntary” tax. If you don’t like them, as the sign says, raise your foot! Yes, I know, coming into a town with a 50-km limit, after you just blasted down the pavement at 120 sure does seem like moving in slow motion. But we will bet you a buck you have no problem not speeding when you are heading out of town, right?
Even when there are no cams! And you are still home in no time at all!
Jeff Burgar