Letters to the editor

Tickets are necessary for safe roads

Recently, I read a column by Brian Goodman trying to convince JMU that speeding is okay and tickets are how "The Man" is out to get you. Taking his advice is not only foolish, but dangerous to yourself and others. If speeding is truly necessary for you, at least consider these things.

Just because you get away with speeding a few times doesn’t mean you’re allowed or obligated to. Reasons exist for posted speed limits. The first is that more accidents are caused by those who speed than those who don’t. The second reason for speed limits is due to a little thing called fuel efficiency. For sake of argument, the Environmental Protection Agency says the most fuel efficient speeds are between 45 and 65 mph, depending on the distance being traveled. This shows the faster you travel, the more gas you waste.

Also, the Transportation Research Board found that the faster you travel, the more wear and tear roads receive. Road damage is reason number three. You know those little things called potholes? Aided by weather damage, those potholes become wider and deeper when cars and trucks hit them at excessive speeds. Road damage can cause cars great damage, so money comes out of government funds to fix the highways. Money from tickets go to the government for those funds. Your tickets pay for the destruction you foolishly cause. Vicious little cycle, isn’t it?

In short, lose the angst and display some responsibility and respect for authority.

Allan Phoenix Bryarly
alumnus