Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!hou5f!jrt From: jrt@hou5f.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: 55 saves lives Message-ID: <290@hou5f.UUCP> Date: Mon, 13-Jun-83 11:37:32 EDT Article-I.D.: hou5f.290 Posted: Mon Jun 13 11:37:32 1983 Date-Received: Tue, 14-Jun-83 03:27:55 EDT Lines: 34 The 55Mph speedlimit did decrease the number of fatalities, way back when it was instituted. As was pointed out by someone else, mainly because there were fewer PEOPLE out on the road to get killed. The actual deaths per miles DRIVEN actually went UP. POINT 2: Driver fatigue is a bigger killer than 55mph over 70mph. I used to be a service engineer, covering an entire state. There was one trip that was 210 miles. At 70 mph.. It took me 3hrs to get there, 2hrs to fix the machine, and another 3hrs home. All in all an 8hr day. When the limit was lowered to 55, the three hour trip became 4, and my day was now a 10hr day...the last two hours of which were driving on the road in a fatigued condition. I didn't even have as long a haul as most truckers. Those that had to go 2100 miles had that much longer to be on the road, and that much greater a chance of being in an accident. SUGGESTION: I won't argue about whether or not 55mph speed limit is useful/necessary/beneficial within city/corporate limits where there are large numbers of cars and intersections/exits. I will however state that in between cities, where there is minimal traffic and mostly cows, that the 70mph speed limit would actually be beneficial to most people. If the governments were to direct their energies at making sure that cars were properly TUNED, then they would save more gas than if they lowered the speed limit to 40mph. (** FLAMED - FRODO **)