Today's Stat

1,245
people died in automobile accidents in Illinois in 2007. It is the lowest number since 1924 (1,065).

Hilkevitch goes on to detail many of the efforts being made by state and local law enforcement officials to combat speeding, a factor in 555 of the last year's deaths. I'll cop to being a bit of a lead foot, but I pick my spots. I strictly obey speed limits on populated streets. It pisses me off when I see people going 35 - 45 mph (or faster) on residential streets. It is just plain dangerous. Out in the 'burbs there's going to be a kid chasing ball into the street and you'll have no chance to stop. The same can happen in the city but you have the added factor of a lot more density and one hell of a lot more people on foot.

If you want to drive fast and you have the means find yourself a nice private track to rent and drive on. If you don't, at least confine it to rural highways where you're only likely to kill yourself. That's what I do.