9 You’re Fine, 10 You’re Mine: Speeding isn’t Worth the Consequences
“9 You’re Fine, 10 You’re Mine”
This catchy phrase emphasizes the significant risks associated with speeding, particularly the abrupt transition from being “fine” to facing serious consequences when exceeding the speed limit by just a small margin. It serves as a reminder to drivers that even minor instances of speeding can lead to accidents, injuries, fines, and legal consequences.
Speeding is the #2 cause of traffic accidents.
Driving the Speed Limit Keeps You Safe and Saves You Money
More than likely, you’ve heard the saying, “Nine you’re fine. Ten you’re mine.” First things first: It’s just a catch phrase and is not advice you should actually listen to.
We’ve all been guilty of speeding at some point, even if we’ve never been pulled over. The fear of a ticket usually keeps us in check. Let’s admit it, nobody wants the hassle of fines, court appearances, or attending driving classes to clear their record. Plus, getting pulled over takes more time than the minutes saved by speeding. In reality, the time saved is minimal. When considering it all, the risks of speeding far outweigh any potential benefits.
Gaining perspective amidst our hectic daily routines can be challenging. Speeding often appears as the quick fix when racing between commitments, running behind schedule, or simply striving for prompt arrival. How many times have you glanced at your speedometer only to realize you were exceeding the limit without even noticing? It’s a common scenario we’ve all experienced. While there are numerous repercussions to speeding, the gravest consequence is the loss of life—whether it’s a passenger’s, another driver’s, a pedestrian’s, or your own. According to the NHTSA, speeding contributed to approximately 26 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2017, resulting in the tragic loss of 9,717 lives.
Speeding is aggressive driving. If others speed or tailgate you, don’t retaliate. Move aside if possible. Speeders are prone to accidents. Be a responsible driver. If everyone drives cautiously, we’ll have safer roads. Driving at the speed limit reduces congestion, although it’s not flawless. Speeders often create traffic jams. Learn more about speed limits on the DMV site. You can check out more information on how speed is set on this link to the DMV site page.
The Key to Safer Roads: Keep yourself and everyone else safe. Don’t speed.
Other Reasons Not to Speed:
- Staying in control of vehicle
- Increased effectiveness of occupant protection equipment
- Decreased degree of crash severity, also meaning less severe injuries in the case of an accident
- Increase of money in your wallet because it’s less fuel consumption
Exercise caution and avoid tempting fate with speeding. While it may not directly lead to accidents, it certainly exacerbates the severity of collisions if you find yourself unable to avoid a reckless driver’s actions. Additionally, speeding increases fuel consumption, translating to higher costs. Should you receive a speeding ticket, be prepared for court fines, potential legal expenses if you decide to seek legal representation, fines for attending safety classes, and the possibility of elevated insurance premiums. It’s essential to take a step back and consider the broader perspective. Let’s emphasize once more: the negative repercussions of speeding far outweigh any reasons for doing so.
When we exceed the designated speed limits, we compromise our ability to react to unexpected hazards and obstacles. Each mile per hour above the limit reduces our margin of safety and amplifies the consequences of potential collisions. Moreover, higher speeds translate to longer braking distances, making it more challenging to stop in time to avoid accidents.
Furthermore, driving at excessive speeds can have financial implications beyond just potential fines. It increases fuel consumption, resulting in higher expenses at the pump. Additionally, receiving a citation for speeding can lead to costly court fines, potential legal fees, and even higher insurance premiums.
Instead of rushing to our destinations, let’s prioritize caution and responsibility on the road. By adhering to posted speed limits, we not only protect ourselves and our passengers but also contribute to safer roads for everyone. Remember, arriving a few minutes later is a small price to pay for the safety and well-being of ourselves and others
