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Path: utzoo!utcsstat!laura
From: laura@utcsstat.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: speed limits and proposals to *really* save lives
Message-ID: <696@utcsstat.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 19-Jun-83 05:51:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: utcsstat.696
Posted: Sun Jun 19 05:51:00 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 19-Jun-83 06:01:14 EDT
References: <680@utcsstat.UUCP>, <550@hao.UUCP>
Organization: U. of Toronto, Canada
Lines: 47

re "throwing laws at the problem isnt going to do jack shit"

I am not entirely sure that you read my entire article -- yes I know
it was very long -- because the only proposal which involved throwing
more laws at the people was one whereby the speed limit was lowered
to 30 mph. The other ones were more concerned with a change in attitude
towards transportaion than "throwing laws at people". Remember me? Im
the person who doesnt like the 55 mph speed limit because 55 doesnt save
lives. 30 would save lives, but I think we need to get from place A to
place B faster than that. The point is that if 55 doesnt save lives
then I would like to get from place A to place B at 75mph (what I get to
drive on freeways in Ontario).  I have better things to do with my time than
drive.

If you want to change people's way of doing things there are other ways
than throwing laws at them. Here's one:

The US government decided to commision the US auto industry to build a
car that uses hydrogen fuel as a power base. The car is designed so that
it can withstand crashes at less than 40 mph, including head-on car crashes
between 2 vehicles both doing 40mph. (the "Hindenburg Effect" is overrated, but
it does exist. Gasoline cars "blow up real good" as well, 
you must remember...) Now the government agrees that if you
buy one of these cars you get a government subsidy, or a tax write-off or
something, and you never need to buy any gas, and you get a HUMUNGEOUS
reduction in your car insurance. The only thing is, if you buy these cars,
you have to use these lanes on all of the highways, which are connected
to a huge routing computer which does all the driving for you at 80mph
while all those suckers in the gas cars get to go at 50mph.  (or the
computer can be part of the car, the implementation details are not important
at this level of discussion.). You need fences to keep the gas cars from
smashing into the hydrogen ones. So far you havent thrown any laws forcing
people to use the new cars, but you have made them look attractive to me.

You even may have helped the US auto industry, which a lot of people
think is a very good idea.

Hydrogen buses are being used safely in California, last I heard, so
the technology is up to it as well. Hydrogen driven cars produce water
as waste, not smog, so I am sure that a lot of people will like them
for that reason.

Any Comments?

Laura Creighton
utzoo!utcsstat!laura