How Fast Am I Going

Speed is an important factor when considering any mode of travel. Knowing exactly how fast you are travelling can give you the opportunity to make sure that you arrive at your destination safely, and in a timely fashion. Understanding how to find out your speed can help you use your time more efficiently and safely.

If you are driving, then the easiest way to determine your speed is to look at the speedometer in your car. Most modern vehicles have digital speedometers that show the speed with an exact number, although some older vehicles may feature an analog speedometer where the needle indicates a rough estimate of your current speed.

You can also check your speed visually to estimate how fast you are going without looking at the speedometer. As a rule of thumb, if you are driving on an unposted (non-speed limited) road and can start to count seconds between receiving an object such as a sign or a house, you’re going somewhere around 30 mph for every second. So for example, if you count 1.5 seconds between seeing a sign, you’re likely going around 45mph.

If you don’t have access to looking at a speedometer, or even guessing, you can use a GPS device. These small devices not only allow you to find directions to your destination, but they have built-in speedometers to measure speed, usually with a greater degree of accuracy than a car speedometer.

No matter what, it is important to obey posted speed limits as a way to show respect to other drivers and keep yourself safe. Remember, knowing how fast you are travelling is a great way to make sure that you reach your destination when you need to, and still be mindful of the safety of yourself and those around you.