Re: 55 alive?

[steveb@newkla.kla.com (Steven Buchholz)]

> Let the carnage begin!!
> 
IMO it is this kind of thinking that kept the NMSL alive for so long :(

There seems to be some sort of tacit assumption that increasing the speed 
limit will result in people driving even faster.  I will freely admit that 
I like to drive fast, and could have been in big trouble if caught doing 
some of the things I've done.  I really like the fact that most of the 
interstates in CA are now set at 65MPH, because I can drive at what I 
believe is a resonable speed without having to worry about being harassed
by some government whor^H^H^H^Hrepresentative.  I for one am not going to 
be increasing my speed by 10MPH simply because the speed limit has increased.
I like to think that I set my speed to be a safe one based on the situation.

The primary issue is enforcement.  If the cops are out there busting folks
that are driving unsafely (notice I did not simply say speeding) then I 
think there would be better compliance with the speed limit as well.

I read in the local paper yesterday that there is some talk of returning
to having selected freeways set at a speed limit of 70MPH, but I doubt
that will ever happen.  It is unfortunate because some of the interstates
were designed back in the 60's with the expectation that speed limits 
would increase over time.  I understand that they were built for an 80MPH
speed!  The problem is that they have not been maintained that well, so
now 65-70 probably is the true safe max speed. :(

Boy ... and to think that Bob's original message made me feel so good 
this morning.

Steve Buchholz
s_buchho@kla.com
San Jose, CA (USA)

Does anyone else remember those speed limit signs that changed depending 
on whether it was day or night?