[Mittelwaechter]

Thanks for the explanation Steve.

Maybe I should have been more precise. I want to know if this happens often, if it is common especially when people speak. It may be more casual to use a "was" instead a complicated construct like "would have been".

It is bad grammar I know, but is it more or less common?
Is it more usual if you are distracted, confused or unconcentrated, even if you are a sophisticated person?

Edit: Stupid me! He was speeding down the road else he would have been late - and - He was speeding down the road else he was late - should have been my question.