Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site nmtvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!genrad!panda!talcott!harvard!seismo!cmcl2!lanl!unmvax!unm-cvax!nmtvax!brooke
From: brooke@nmtvax.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Foes of 55
Message-ID: <311@nmtvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 28-Feb-85 11:15:37 EST
Article-I.D.: nmtvax.311
Posted: Thu Feb 28 11:15:37 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 4-Mar-85 06:08:28 EST
References: <330006@acf4.UUCP> <>
Reply-To: brooke@nmtvax.UUCP (J. Brooke King)
Organization: New Mexico Tech, Socorro
Lines: 45
Summary: 

In article <> mag@whuxlm.UUCP (Gray Michael A) writes:
>> Is anyone out there interested in killing 55?
>> Of all the crackpot activist groups out there, is there one devoted to
>> this noble and holy goal?
>> 
>> Rei Shinozuka
>> ihnp4!cmcl2!acf4!hkr4627
>
>Yes, I'd like speed limits to be determined by states, not the feds.
>There are many situations where 55 is too low.
>
>Mike Gray, BTL, WH


The speed limits ARE determined by the states, but the states are
coerced by the federales under the constitutional guise of regulating
interstate commerce (whence most of the modern federal government's power
arises).

It has been shown that in western states, fatalities rose slightly after
the imposition of 55 -- presumably because of increased fatigue
resulting from taking longer to get everywhere.  On roads where 55 is
not meritted, I ignore it for as much speed as I can get without being a
hazard.  Of course, I try to keep it around 70 because I've never had a
ticket in my life and 70 and under means no points if I do.  On roads
that had higher speed limits but were dangerous, I'm all for 55, 45, 35
or whatever is needed to keep smart people informed of what's ahead and
to keep idiots from going beyond safe bounds.  These limits can and
should be set properly only by the local authorities.

Ronald Reagan promised to get rid of 55 in his '80 campaign, but, like
the deficit, it is still with us.  We could always try uncivil obedience
(NOT civil disobedience) and put an orange sticker in our rear window
(or something) and when we see some others, block off the freeways to
normal speeds (once suggested in Car & Driver).  Maybe we'd annoy enough
people more to get some response from our legislatures -- who should not
be bullied by the federales.  I think there was a war from 1861 to 1865
one of the reasons for which was federale tinkering -- and it's gotten
worse ever since.

Rise against 55!
-- 

        J. Brooke King at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
                        ... ucbvax!unmvax!nmtvax!brooke