Driving some of Saskatchewan's highways this weekend was again a joy. It is interesting how traffic flows when their are huge numbers of vehicles on divided highways. I like many others Saturday went from Saskatoon to Regina and back for the Rider game. #%^!%$@%$# ok enough of that, back to my observations. Leaving Saskatoon around 10:30am I was greeted by hundreds of others doing the same but what was amazing is for the most part the traffic was exceeding the posted speed limit by 15-20 km/hr. Usually you might see a couple, but for this weekend it was almost every vehicle. Sure there were still the "not 1 km over" people. But those traveling 130-140 and even 155km/hr (I won't admit where I was in that) out numbered the legal limit. Even the 120 crowd that is prevalent on this roadway, were few and far between. All this and the only sighting of a Mountie was around Craik (they are famous for speed control) I'm curious as to why our Province continues to use an arbitrarily derived speed limit on this roadway. I haven't heard of any major accidents being caused by the excessive speeds traveled this weekend on that highway. And surely the number of vehicles per hr were dramatically increased over the norm. Isn't it time that the traffic act catch up to the technology and construction of the vehicles using this highway. I haven't checked but I think the 110 mark was brought in a couple of years ago because the norm had changed in driving habits which showed the 100 wasn't being obeyed by the majority of drivers. If today's traffic is now at the 120k mark shouldn't the posted limit be adjusted to reflect the norm? Getting from Saskatoon to Regina in 1:30 would make the trip more enjoyable and as was shown this weekend no more dangerous.
Now a rant on those "your speeding and I'm going to stop you from doing it" folk that insist on driving in the left lane blocking traffic. I witnessed at least 5 of these people each and everyone of them flexing their muscles and increasing the potential of an accident. I always thought that one should be aware of their surroundings and adjust as a good defensive driver. Driving in the left lane without any regard to what is happening around you is just stupid and dangerous. I will drive in the left lane many times given the condition of parts of this road but I am continually checking my mirrors for traffic behind. Even if I decide to exceed the limit by a km or 2 I am aware there maybe someone moving faster. If the Mounties want to make our roads safer they should get out and ticket these people as their actions are far more dangerous then the person traveling a mere 10 or 20 kms over the limit.
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