buls@ssc-vax.UUCP (Rick Buls) (10/03/84)
On the subject of speed limits pre-55, The states of Montana and Nevada had no limit. Nevada had no limit day or night, you could go as fast as you felt safe at. In Montana the day time speed limit was open but at night there were posted night limits (70 on the Interstate). I was born and raised in Montana and learned to drive before the 55. I must say that I still find it hard to drive in a state with a limit(enforced). I watch the speedometer alot and I speed up or slow down alot (which isn't fuel effient). I still prefer the open speed limits. Way back then, people didn't travel at 100mph down the freeway. Most in fact found the speed they were comfortable at and drov at that speed. And during a trip that comfortable speed would vary, depending on alot of factors. Of course there was little traffic, We have ALOT of land and few people. On the freeway its over 600 miles across the state. So with the 55, it takes over 12 hours to cross the state(stopping only for gas) where it was usually took 8 to 9 hours comfortablely. And trips to the East coast( wherever that is) is unbearable. Montana now has a 55 limit. But the max fine is $15, and it CAN NOT go against your insurance. On the other side off the coin there were people who did exceed the speed they could handle(They were usually drinking and showing off). But then I don't see the limit stopping these people ANYWHERE. And in Montana its impossible to patrol the entire state. Montana back in the 40s and early 50s put up crosses at the points where fatal crashes occured. One cross for each death. It was very clear where the dangerous streches were. When the Interstate came in they were built to handle 70+mph traffic. And in the mountains some curves had posted limits(60mph, or what ever). In summary I guess its clear I dont like the 55. I will admit it saves lives( but 40 would save more). But I don't like to have to sacrifice my comfort. And I don't get any better gas milage. (I use more gas going at 55 constantly up and down a lonnnng hill than if I went up at 50 and down at 60). And on that subject of consurving gasoline, there is more gas burned from 7am to 10 am any weekday morning here in Seattle than is burned all day in Montana. So lets conserve where it will do the most good! If half the single passager commuters would car pool or take public transportation, look at the savings. BUT THEN we couldn't do THAT, cause ITS TOO inconvenient for them.
bcdoody@wateng.UUCP (Brian C. Doody) (10/05/84)
[]
THis is in response to the joker who said:
"I have to admit [the 55 mph speed limit] saves lives...But I don't like
to have to sacrifice my comfort"!!!
Are you crazy??? Maybe you just phrased your point wrong, but are
you so almighty that your comfort comes before someone else's LIFE??
And what about when someone going 80mph can't avoid you on a curve because he
was going too fast...how omfortable will you be DEAD?
Come on, think before you type next time...
---
Brian Doody, Univ of Waterloo
--
Brian C. Doody, EE, University of Waterloo
...!{allegra | decvax | clyde | ihnp4 }!watmath!wateng!bcdoody