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Re: Why it's set at 55 m.p.h...



Richard Looney (rlooney@csc.com) wrote:
: Jonathan Hazzard (thonhazz@clark.net) wrote:
: >>    The state and the legislature, believe it or not, actually are 
: >> concerned about highway safety. 
:                                      (snip)
: Actually Jonathon, the speed limits were rolled back to 55 in the
: early 1970s to conserve fuel. "Safety" is just the current spin.


   That was true in 1974.  Since gasoline consumption isn't a problem
currently, and after observing the decrease in highway fatalities, safety
is now the major issue.  Hence, much of the resistance to 65, which we 
all do anyway.

   I thought it'd be fun to gauge the average speed of right lane traffic
on the beltway between the Dulles Toll Road and the 270 split (not during
rush hour).  I figured I'd do about 60 in the right lane and see how many
cars I had to pass.  Care to guess the total?  You are correct, sir. 
Zero.  I went back to 64 (only 1 point, you know!)


         ~~~~     Jonathan
        ~c--oo    thonhazz@clark.net
             >
            -



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