Yes, they serve a purpose

Lexington, SC 06/18/2021 (Sheriff Jay Koon) - Sometimes it just seems so slow! Why are there limits?

You’re late to work, late to school or to an important meeting. So, you speed a little bit to make up time. But, is it really worth it? After all, does an extra 10mph hurt anyone?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the probability of death, disfigurement, or debilitating injury grows with higher speed at impact. Such consequences double for every 10 mph over 50 mph that a vehicle travels. Why take the risk?

Posted speed limits are in place for one reason: safety; the safety of you, your passengers and others on the roadway. In 2017, the S.C. Department of Public Safety noted there was one traffic collision every 3.7 minutes; with 17,453 people being injured in collisions caused by exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions. Injuries and fatalities also increase within work zones and during inclement weather.

Not only is speeding unsafe, it wastes fuel. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that aggressive driving—speeding, excessive braking and quickly accelerating—can lower your gas mileage by roughly 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. With the current gas prices, it makes sense to slow down.

Our Traffic Division conducts extra patrols throughout the county on a weekly basis. Areas selected are typically those with a higher percentage of citizen inquiry and safety concerns. Deputies are looking for dangerous drivers, those not wearing seat belts or obeying speed limits. If you’re caught and ticketed, you’re guilty of a misdemeanor (SC Law §56-5-1520) and could face fines or jail time. There is no such thing as a ‘buffer zone’ for speeding.

If the thought of a speeding ticket isn’t consequence enough, think about the lives you would be impacting if you got into a wreck. Or the higher insurance rates. It’s just not worth it.