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