Drivers recognize dangers of speeding but still admit to doing it: MPI

While most drivers recognize the serious danger presented by speeding, many still admit to having committed the offense, according to a public opinion survey conducted by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).
In a survey of 800 residents of the province, 70% say driving faster than the road conditions indicate is a major problem on roadways. But 22% admit they exceed the speed limit often or very frequently, and another 35% do so occasionally. One-third of drivers say they rarely speed, while 12% say they never do so.
The frequency of speeding was higher for younger drivers, with almost 50% of 18-24 year-olds admitting they speed often or very frequently. Also, men were slightly more likely to speed than women, MPI says.
The reasons for speeding included not paying attention (33%), hurrying because of lateness (33%), and belief that speed limits are too low (9%).
MPI is urging drivers to give themselves more time to get to their destinations. The public insurer is also stressing the need to not only consider speed limits, but also road conditions, in choosing what speed to drive at, specifically in winter.
“When roads are slick, snow covered or icy, driving the speed limit is too fast,” says MPI road safety specialist Shauna Neiser. “It’s important to drive at a safe speed, and sometimes that means slowing down far below the limit.”
She notes the importance of “stopping distance” in bad road conditions: for a driver traveling 20 km/h over the speed limit in a 50 km/h zone, stopping distance on an icy road is almost doubled.