EAST RAND, Gauteng – A 19-year-old motorist was arrested by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department after allegedly driving a grey Audi at 214 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the R21 freeway near Boksburg on Friday afternoon.
Officers from the High-Speed Unit recorded the speed during enforcement operations on 1 May and arrested the teenager for speeding, with an alternative charge of reckless and negligent driving.
According to Arrive Alive, he was detained at the Boksburg North Police Station and is expected to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court soon.
Speeding a factor in many fatal crashes
On its website, Arrive Alive stated that speeding can be defined as exceeding the posted speed limit and driving too fast for conditions. Many people do not view obeying speed limits as an important way to avoid crashes.
Speeding is regarded as a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes.
Speed is a critical risk factor for road traffic injuries. As average traffic speed increases, so too does the likelihood of a crash. If a crash does happen, the risk of death and serious injury is greater at higher speeds, especially for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Male and young drivers are more likely to speed, while other factors likely to influence speed include alcohol, road layout, traffic density and weather conditions.
Important factors to consider are the following:
- Speed reduces the amount of available time needed to avoid a crash or to stop the vehicle
- Speed extends the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation
- Speed reduces the ability of the driver to steer safely around curves or objects on the road
- Speed increases the likelihood of crashing
- Speed increases the severity of a crash once it occurs
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