Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/26/83; site iheds.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!ihnp4!iheds!kmw From: kmw@iheds.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: 55 saves lives Message-ID: <241@iheds.UUCP> Date: Thu, 16-Jun-83 08:56:34 EDT Article-I.D.: iheds.241 Posted: Thu Jun 16 08:56:34 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 18-Jun-83 06:49:24 EDT References: <5@mhuxt.UUCP> Organization: BTL Naperville, Il. Lines: 23 Since Andy R. asked on the net, I'll make a quick response (a summary of mail conversation on same issue): No, if my brother had been driving faster than 55mph, he would not have stayed awake. (My opinion and his.) The highway was straight, and would have been the same to drive at 65 or 70 as it was at 55. He fell asleep, not from boredom, but from physical exhaustion. [If it hasn't happened to you before, it can catch you unawares when your last adrenaline reserves are depleted; you feel deceptively alert in spite of too much mountain climbing on not enough sleep, then zombie out and fall asleep in a few moments. Driving faster would not change this.] My point is not that its OK to drive when you're tired if you're only going 55, but that when an accident occurs, for whatever reason, 55mph with seatbelts is already pushing the tail end of the curve on speed vs. survivability. I know there are arguments against it, such as longer times spent on the road (although, as I mention, I don't fall for the "driving faster will keep you alert" idea); however, for me, the arguments for it outweigh them: it is safer (fewer accidents? I don't know. But less damage when they occur) and my car gets better mileage. -- K. Wilber (..iheds!mvuxt!kw)