A friend of mine, a nurse who also teaches college and has two teenage children has recently received a speeding citation on a clear, straight, multi-lane stretch of highway 401 near Cobourg.
She was charged with going 130 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. Her charge was not reduced in court when she pleaded not guilty. Her punishment included roadside humiliation, a $259 fine, 4 demerit points and an upcoming painful insurance rate hike. All for driving at a safe and reasonable speed millions of us drive every day.
Unfortunately, in Ontario, our authorities refuse us a reasonable speed limit. Who cares that over sixty jurisdictions world-wide, including half of the U.S. and most of the EU can legally drive at 120 and 130 km/h. Driving on our 400-series highways simply must be illegal.
My friend's driving would be praised in such respectable countries as France, Denmark or Germany - all of which have extremely safe highways and recognize 130 km/h as a safe speed outside of metropolitan areas. Her driving would also receive a police officer a Thumbs up in Texas and Utah.
Shame on our province for punishing safe and prudent drivers and inflicting financial pain on their families for no wrongdoing!
Chris Klimek is a founder of www.stop100.ca - a group demanding increasing of the 400-series highway speed limit to globally-recognized 120-130 km/h.
