Speeding……Is it really worth it?

ny Dan Kooser

One law across the Unites States that almost every American has broken is not abiding by the posted speed limit signs. Some of us sleep in for work, are late for church, race our buddies on the highway, talk on our cell phones and unaware of how fast our car is going, or simply like to drive faster than the recommended speed limit. These are all likely causes and excuses the police officers hear when they are writing up that expensive speeding ticket. After a couple tickets one must consider two alternatives, slow down or purchase a radar detector. But do the time benefits we make up by driving fast really outweigh the other cost circumstances?

Radar detectors are a very useful tool for many drivers. “With the ability to alert you to radar waves that are emitted by such things as radar guns, emergency vehicles, road construction sites and trains, a radar detector can help warn you about oncoming road hazards (qtd. in RadioShack).” It is a nice thing to know what is ahead of your driving path when you are traveling.

As we make our choices that are usually rationally self interested, we seem to miss some things. When a choice is made to purchase radar detectors and speed, we are unaware that drivers who use these devices pose a greater risk of accidents than those who do not use the devices. It is not hard to realize that those who use radar detectors are more likely to drive faster than the speed limit.

When we look at speeding economically, we must utilize the Marginal Cost Benefit Analysis. For instance, one who gets pulled over twice in the same month for going seven miles over the speed limit decides to purchase a radar detector. Their speeding tickets add up to be well over two hundred dollars and that person almost has enough points on their driver’s license to lose it. In this scenario, the marginal benefit of purchasing a radar detector outweighs the marginal cost of not purchasing one.

One thing that is very arguable is an individual’s time. There are many hazards of going over the speed limit but one who utilizes a radar detector can be aware of some of these hazards. If you are going to speed, it is probably a good idea to have a radar detector. The habit of speeding will save you time, not money. One can decide for themselves if speeding is really worth it.