Speeding is one of the most significant factors involved in traffic fatalities, so should the Canadian government consider ordering manufacturers to lower the maximum speeds on their cars?
Every so often, either a municipal police detachment or a force like the BC Highway Patrol will put out a release about speeding drivers.
In response to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from North Vancouver RCMP of two new drivers caught speeding at 180 km/h, a lawyer asked why cars must go as fast as they do.
One thing to consider before answering the question of whether or not we should reduce max car speeds is what the baseline is for max speeds for cars across Canada. The highest speed limit across the country is on BC’s Coquihalla Highway, with a 120 km/h limit. Kyla Lee, a criminal lawyer with expertise in DUI and IRP, suggested that car manufacturers need to do better and the government should hold them accountable.
“There is no reason they need to go this fast,” Lee tweeted.
Stats suggest speeding is the most significant contributing factor to fatalities on the road.
According to StatCan, in 2020, speeding contributed to 25.3% of fatal motor vehicle accidents, less than impaired driving (17.6%).
Lee suggests this wouldn’t be that difficult to implement.