lvc@cbscd5.UUCP (06/17/83)
To paraphrase Aristotle, you must have facts before you have theories. What are the facts concerning the 55 m.p.h. speed limit? The Washington Times (Sept 28, '82) reported highway death rates steadily rose from 45,500 to 51,100 during the term of Joan Claybrook at the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. When Raymond Peck stepped in the rate took a drop of 1,500 in his first year, and seems to be going down even more this year. Highway traffic is heavier now, so decreased traveling is not the explanation. The difference between Claybrook and Pecks philosophy was an emphasis on enforcing the 55 m.p.h. speed limit vs. cracking down on on drunk driving. "Maryland, for example, received extra federal funds for a speeding crackdown in 1980, yet the death rate rose by ten percent. With Pecks emphasis on drunk driving enforcement, the death rate dropped thirty percent in Maryland" Police resources are limited, just like everyone else. "Concentrating troopers on the interstates will lead to a lot of speeding tickets (and revenues!) - but will divert manpower from local roads where drunks pose a frequent menace". So, take your pick, drunks doing 55, or safe drivers going faster. Larry Cipriani cbscd5!lvc Quoted passages taken from Reason magazine, Jan/83