Speed kills drivers, passengers and pedestrians—not the vehicle manufacturers and their advertising agencies, unfortunately.

Television spots invariably show compacts and muscle cars alike racing down rain-slick city streets and dusty country roads.

No one else--especially traffic officers—is around as stunt-car drivers expertly conquer hairpin turns, spinouts and other hazards.

The obvious message—underlined by state legislatures inexplicably raising speed limits—is that today’s sedans, coupes and sports utility vehicles can blow the doors off everyone else’s car.

What aren’t shown, of course, are slower emergency vehicles responding to the carnage created by irresponsible vendors chasing the fast buck.

Kill speed. (18 MAY 2003)