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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)