mickey (12/02/82)
That's what you get for driving a Chevette! My Honda Civic (1.5 Litre) with a 5-speed runs in 4th (3000 rpm) at 55, and shifting to 5th (3000 rpm) runs it up to 70. I have had the car up to 80, but it gets a little scary at that speed (anyone who has ever driven a motorcycle over 60 knows the feeling). Everything comes at you too fast! However, my car just likes that 3000 rpm niche and it is an ideal cruising speed. In an earlier article, it was mentioned about the 100 KPH speed limit in Canada. You should also note that some roads up there also have a 120 KPH speed limit. When vacationing up in Ontario last summer, I was amazed at the number of people well exceeding the 'legal' limit. Having also traveled around Europe, I am well aware that driving over the limit is not limited to the American culture. The world has been pushed into getting from one place to another at the greatest possible speed (High speed trains in Japan and France, Autobahns in Germany, SST's and space travel) and we are merrily going for the ride. Let's hope the Prez's 5 cent/gal. gas tax will not only restore our highways and bridges, but will also pay for lots of new higher speed limit signs on our interstates. The bottom line - I think we should go the route of our neighbors to the north....120 KPH on the Interstates, and 100 KPH on all other four lane divided highways. 55 is a safe speed for rural two-lanes. Maybe we should get up a 'net petition' up to send to our boys in Washington? Mickey Levine cca!mickey mickey @ cca-unix