The Need for Speed

I grew up in southern Saskatchewan, and called Regina home during highschool, four years of university, and four more years of life as a teacher. However, like many young Saskatchewanians seeking an adventure and a life without Agribition, my wife and I ventured overseas to teach.

For two years, we dealt with a constant language barrier, unresponsive public utilities, corrupt traffic police, shady trips through immigration, an inconsistent grocery supply, and everything else that comes with living as an expat in a developing country. The biggest initial shock was the traffic: there are some traffic lights, but they aren't necessarily obeyed. There are five motorbikes on the road for every car. On each of these five motorbikes are up to seven people at a time. Yes, I said seven. At one time. Traffic never really stops -- and isn't confined to the right side of the road. However, with practice, we both became comfortable navigating the streets.

That said, in the last months before coming home, we both reflected that we were excited to get back to driving in Regina. However, all it took was our first trip on Ring Road to notice the need for speed Reginans now feel. Driving in the right hand lane at 100km/h is almost dangerous because you are going so slow compared to the rest of the traffic. God forbid you try driving 90km/h to conserve. Expect people to come up behind you quickly, and give you a dirty look as they fly by, shaking their heads.

When did we get into such a hurry? To travel on Ring Road from Albert Street North to Albert Street South is 16km. At 90km/h it will take 10 minutes and 40 seconds. At 100km/h this will take 9 minutes and 36 seconds. At 110km/h it will take 8 minutes and 43 seconds. At 120 km/h it will take 8 minutes. What are people doing with that 1:36 that makes it worth endangering people's lives for? Watching 2/75ths of an episode of So You Think You Can Dance?