It is quite often quoted that travelling at speed in itself is not that dangerous. This is true provided the vehicle in question is travelling across a vast expanse of desert wasteland, with no people, vehicles or hazards around.
In the real world, travelling too fast is accepted as the main contributory cause of collisions. The reason for this is that, in our communities, we have such a diverse group of users: cars, lorries, tractors, bikes, cyclists, horses, children and adult pedestrians and so on. All these have a right to use the road. All of these have their own limitations. By forgetting this fact you might be reminded in a way you'd rather not.
Travelling in the cocoon of your own vehicle - with quiet luxurious interiors and increasingly sophisticated engines - it's also easy to lose track of the sense of speed, and how much distance there is needed to slow down, let alone stop.
A speed of 40mph might not seem very much when sitting behind the wheel, but it will take 36m/120ft to come to a standstill. For a pedestrian standing half that distance in front of you, this is not good news. Always keep your stopping distances in mind.
