You should take a look at something called the Broken Windows Theory. Enforcing penalties for 'small' crimes such as speeding, vandalism and thing like jaywalking can dramatically affect the incidence of larger crimes such as murder. I don't care how good a driver you think you are - I don't trust your judgement as to how fast you can safely drive. http://www.umsl.edu/~nestor/Broken%20Windows.htm