What is it about speed limits and our need to exceed them? Most people I know are not speed demons. They don’t intentionally drive ten or more miles over the speed limit and race around town on a normal day. However, the vast majority of my friends, family, and acquaintances admit to driving between five and ten miles over—just enough that they won’t get pulled over, or if they do, will have a less likely chance of getting a ticket. I admit to doing the same thing. I perpetually drive five miles over the speed limit, and get annoyed with those who don’t. 

I wonder why it is we do this. Are we all just in such a hurry we can’t stand to drive those five mph slower? Is it some innate urge to push the boundaries and break the rules, but only to a certain point? As humans, by and large we follow the rules and appreciate the sense of safety structure gives us. But we also seem driven to rebel in some fashion, as if to prove, at least to ourselves, that we’re not simply a meek follower.

Do you speed? Do you think most people drive over the speed limit? Why do you think they do it?