Even by California standards, Sacramento County's highways are
dangerous. A big reason why: motorists are going really, really
fast.
Kings star Tyreke Evans got everyone's attention by going 130
in his Mercedes over Memorial Day weekend. I saw the Highway Patrol
video on youtube, and it's a miracle he didn't kill himself or
someone else.
But he's far from alone in treating local freeways like the
set of "The Fast and the Furious." The Highway Patrol says that
during May and June, it caught 83 drivers doing more than 100 in
the Valley. And those 83 are only the ones who got caught.
That need for speed -- that recklessness - it comes at a
terrible price.
In 2008, Sacramento ranked third worst among California's 58
counties, with more than 2600 speed-related crashes that caused
death or injuries. (Ed. note: 2008 figures are most current
available. Only San Francisco and Napa counties ranked worse than
Sacramento.)
For most of us, getting behind the wheel is the most hazardous
thing we do in our daily lives. But some drivers add to the
risk.
The current fine for speeding over 100 mph is just under
$1,000. Let's raise it. We could dock drivers $30 for each mile an
hour they go over the limit. Going 130 mph in a 65 zone would cost
a tidy $1,950. That price might be high enough to get the attention
of even the most stubborn lead-foot.
Foon Rhee writes for The Sacramento Bee opinion pages.