Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!ubc-visi!alberta!auvax!madrid
From: madrid@auvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: 55 and Type A Behavior
Message-ID: <158@auvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Jul-83 14:18:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: auvax.158
Posted: Wed Jul  6 14:18:06 1983
Date-Received: Mon, 11-Jul-83 18:53:35 EDT
Lines: 45


  O.K.  Let's assume, for the moment, that 55 doesn't
save gas or lives.  Let's assume too that, in a gesture
of faith in the common sense of John Q. Public, that 
speed limits have been abolished completely.  Let's even
assume that all drivers are competent, responsible people
in full posession of all their faculties, and are driving
well-maintained vehicles.
  Can anyone explain to me why anyone would *want* to drive any
faster than, say, 55?  
  I would expect that it wouldn't be in order to "test the
limits" of their driving competence.  Since we are speaking
of a competent, responsible population of drivers, they would
have the good sense to engage in such recreational and/or
thrill-seeking behavior on a racetrack, and not on a public
thoroughfare.  
  Perhaps, then, because they are in a hurry?  Now, I know that
there are dolts who seem to behave as if the speed limit 
(whatever it might be) is like unto the speed of light: as
one approaches the speed limit, time begins to slow down, to
stop, and eventually to go backwards.  So no matter how late
one has started out, one can arrive on time by going fast 
enough.  But we aren't dealing here with dolts.  We are talking 
about people who are able to figure out that a journey of 60
miles takes only 10 minutes longer at 65 than at 55.
  Why would a person want to raise their blood pressure, their
cholestrol level, and all that, by engaging in the high-stress
behavior of fast public driving?  Why not enjoy to trip?  Even
the 100 or so miles between Brooks and Medicine Hat (Alberta) -
probably the straightest, dullest road in the hemisphere (and
not a tree to spoil the view ...) - offers antelope, owls, and
gophers to those who care to look.  Surely one's own neighborhood
could be as interesting.
 
               _  _  _  _  _  _  _
 
 
  But seriously ....  I'm not a very experienced driver, and my
car is less than an Alfonso di Credenza.  I don't feel safe
driving quickly.  So far, I've been able to avoid freeway driving
entirely.  What suggestions do you have to enable me to drive
in a way that's not hazardous to myself and/or others?
  
                                          R.