Editor:
Do you want to help with the economy?
Speed is a big factor in the Greater Vancouver area. There are people doing upwards of 40 km/h or more over the posted speed limit, and I seldom see – three times in 2015 – any radar to slow drivers down.
Well, I think it is great. Speed keeps the economy flowing. Once you go over 110 klicks, your fuel economy drops by about 10 per cent and it keeps going down after that, so you keep the service stations and their companies employed.
Chances of sliding off the road improve at these speeds with the Vancouver weather. Drivers that slide off the road employ tow-truck drivers to retrieve them. A driver that slides off the road and into a pole, again, tow truck drivers and now an auto-body shop.
Let’s keep it going. A driver slams into a vehicle – the tow truck, the auto-body shop, as well as the police and fire crew are employed.
We can push it some more. You slam into another vehicle and there are injuries. You have the tow truck, auto-body, police, fire crew, and now the ambulance and hospital staff all employed because of speed. As well, the temporary employment agency is contacted to help the companies that are now minus their employees that are in the hospital or on leave to recoup.
Let’s go a bit more. You are late for work and it is raining. Happens in Vancouver doesn’t it? You’re in a rush – aren’t most drivers? – and speed increases to 130 km/h and climbing when you lose control and slam headfirst into an oncoming vehicle killing a family.
Now, we have all of the above – plus maybe the scrap yard – along with the mortician, funeral home and a limo driver for the relatives of the dead. And now there is a home that is vacant. This could mean a real estate agent is about to be employed or maybe a rental agency.
And with a lot of drivers doing this, think of how much money we are giving ICBC to keep them employed.
All this because of speed.
With the economy being what it is, I think we should just remove the speed limit and let these dangerous drivers pay and pay and pay. Let those of us who drive safely receive a further reduced ICBC premium.
Speed really does help the economy, so keep up the good work, Vancouver.
M. de Jong, Surrey