Wheeling man cited for speeding 107 mph: The cost of speed, it’s more than a ticket

It happened Wednesday, April 27 as a Livingston County Sheriff deputy was on Highway K near Liv 261.

The deputy checked a vehicle on radar at 107 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver from Wheeling, Missouri was stopped, cited for the high speed and posted bond for the violation. The driver is scheduled to appear in Livingston County Associate Court in May.

The deputy had been on patrol in the area due to complaint of speeding violations.  No other information was provided.

While the individual may have enjoyed the adrenaline rush that high speed brings, (not to mention, (probably) thinking “look at me, I’m so cool”) they surely were not thinking of the consequences of their actions. Not only were they placing their own lives in danger, they subsequently placed the lives of other drivers, as well as pedestrians in harm’s way.

This ticket, according to the Missouri Courts State Fine Collection Center can cost this driver over five hundred dollars for the speeding ticket alone.

But, as on a game show: DING, DING, DING! THERE’s MORE!

There is also the cost of a huge insurance spike. Insurance companies penalize drivers for poor behavior. This individual could see a rise as much as two to three times the price of a safe drivers policy, or, the insurance company may even drop the policy on that individual, rather than take a chance this person has learned their lesson. If that’s the case, other insurance companies may classify them as high risk, increasing the cost of having insurance to unbelievable proportions.

Then there is the point system for a drivers license in Missouri.

Missouri law allows the Department of Revenue’s (DOR) Motor Vehicle and Driver Licensing Division to suspend your driver’s license if you accumulate too many points on your driving record.

Keep in mind, that this individual was traveling at 107 miles per hour. The information presented below is for a vehicle traveling 60 mph. That means the driver above, in perfect conditions, with perfect reaction would travel well over 500 feet, almost the length of two football fields.

A vehicle traveling at 60 mph covers 88 feet per second. But stopping that vehicle takes over 4.5 seconds and covers a distance of 271 feet. Why? Because there’s more involved in braking than the actual time your brakes are applied to the wheels (called “effective braking”). In particular, “perception time” and “reaction time” add considerable distance to stopping your car.

Perception time is the three-quarters of a second it takes for you to realize that you need to brake. Reaction time is the three-quarters of a second it takes to move your foot to the brake pedal. When you combine perception and reaction time, a full 132 feet will pass before your car even begins to slow down from 60 mph. So from the time you perceive a braking situation until the time your car comes to a complete stop, a total of 4.6 seconds elapses. During that time your car travels — it bears repeating — a total of more than 270 feet. That’s almost the length of a football field. Of course, the faster you go, the more time and distance it takes to stop.

There are other factors as well, such as road conditions. When the weather is bad, your braking distance grows exponentially. On wet pavement, total braking time increases from 4.6 seconds to 6.1 seconds, and total braking distance shoots up from 271 feet to 333 feet. And it gets worse. In snowy conditions, even with snow tires, total stopping time jumps to 10.6 seconds and 533 feet. As a basis of comparison, this is roughly the same distance — actually, a little further — as the same vehicle coming to a complete stop from 90 mph on dry pavement, an effective doubling of the braking distance.

Let us repeat that: a 100-percent increase.

So what do we do with all these numbers? There’s nothing we can do about the weather or about road surfaces, but we can do something about the way we drive. Arming ourselves with knowledge can prevent the loss of property and human life.

So what do we do with all these numbers? There’s nothing we can do about the weather or about road surfaces, but we can do something about the way we drive. Arming ourselves with knowledge can prevent the loss of property and human life.

First, if you drive a truck or SUV, be especially aware of your speed in bad weather. Sitting higher off the road than everyone else only means you’ll have a better view of the passing countryside as you slam sideways into a snowbank.

Second, remember this law: That which makes you go won’t make you stop. If you drive a four-wheeler, you’re not immune to the laws of physics, in fact, you’re a bit more susceptible (if for no other reason than your overconfidence). Whether you drive an Escort or an Excursion, it doesn’t matter. In fact, the heavier weight of a truck or SUV means it will take much longer to come to a stop, given its greater momentum. Repeat: four-wheel drive does not help you stop. We’re tired of seeing you folks spun around on the side of the road facing the wrong way, or worse.  You see the number of accidents posted on our website.  It really bothers me when I have to post a fatality. Slow down before you hurt somebody.

Third, remember to keep a “space cushion” around your vehicle at all times — ahead, to the sides and behind your car. This can be difficult to accomplish, especially in heavy traffic where everyone is darting in and out. How close is too close when it comes to following the car ahead of you? There’s a handy “3-second rule.” When the vehicle ahead of you passes a certain point, such as a sign, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.” This takes about 3 seconds. If you pass that certain point before you finish counting, you are following too closely. It’s suggested a 4-second (or more) cushion in inclement weather.

Fourth, the tires you choose and their condition are another important, yet often overlooked factor.

There are a few other factors that affect braking distances. As stated before, the heavier your vehicle is, the longer it will take to stop. Bear that in mind when you shop for a car or when you load it up. Also, the looser the road surface (gravel, dirt, mud), the harder it is to stop.

It’s not about getting behind the wheel of a car and just driving. It’s about getting behind the wheel of a car, and, driving responsibly. We take for granted the things that happen as we drive, not thinking about most of the actions taking place as we pilot our car down the highways and byways.