Speed kills is a convenient truth that unfortunately only tells a small part of the story. The only time speed isn't factor is when the car is stationary and a crane drops something on top of it or a case of spontaneous combustion. If you want to argue semantics, speed doesn't kill either, it's the rate of rapid deceleration that is the killer....
The real killers are,
A lack of skill
Poor concentration/distractions
Use of mind altering substances
Mechanical
Medical
Fact is, until you can take out the human element you will never stop genuine accidents but in my opinion genuine accidents are few and far in between.
I don't consider a motor vehicle accident that includes a driver using a forbidden substance as an accident when the accident is a direct result of a concious decision the driver made earlier in the night (that is to use drugs or alcohol before choosing to drive). In my eyes a accident resulting in serious injury or loss of life due to the use of drugs or alcohol should be a mandatory murder/manslaughter charge.
I know that the NZ government is now going towards the Swedish model where it is accepted that road accidents will occur and instead of trying to reduce the number of accidents they are trying to reduce the severity because of the human element and the simple fact is that people make mistakes and the aim is simply to minimise the damage/injuries when said mistakes are made.
I love driving but what we do around the city isn't driving, it's an exercise in frustration and quiet frankly if you can even achieve reaching the set speed limit it's a minor achievement because traffic congestion is so bad it's beyond a joke and getting worse by the week.
The funny thing is 112mph is 180km/h. Still more than enough speed to kill yourself!
Something else that is really burning my wick is the lack of speed signs, now around here there is only 1 speed sign as you enter a different speed zone. Quiet often the change of speed zone is at an intersection or somewhere else where you are busy looking at traffic/lights etc to be on the lookout for a speed sign. I know on a number of occasions I've missed a speed sign and I'm wondering what the set speed limit is.
/end rant.