ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512130023
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GEORGE D. NOEWATNE JR.
IN RESPONSE to your Dec. 2 editorial, ``Keep speed limits where they are'':
The 55 mph speed limit signed into law by President Nixon was a tool solely designed to combat the energy crisis facing the United States as a result of the oil embargo in the 1970s. It had nothing to do with safety, yet has been repeatedly embraced by safety gurus as a critical piece of legislation. Several points merit consideration in the face of this legislation's repeal:
Interstate highways were originally designated for 70 mph. Any engineer will tell you that there's a factor of safety taken into account when determining the speed limit, so roads are actually designed to handle speeds well in excess of 70 mph.
Today's cars are superior in every respect to the cars available at the time of the interstates' design in the mid-'50s. Most of today's cars possess seat belts, air bags, crumple zones, four-wheel disk brakes and independent suspensions, and antilock braking systems. In addition, tire technology has increased immeasurably. Tubeless tires incorporating more ``sticky'' compounds for greater traction are now standard. A 1955 Chevrolet rolling on tube-type tires cannot even remotely compare to a 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the safety department.
The main problem on today's interstates are inattentive drivers - people improperly using the left lane (it's there for passing, not sightseeing), eating, drinking, talking on cellular phones and generally not paying attention to their surroundings. Enforce regulations prohibiting this type of behavior, and I believe you'll see a corresponding drop in accident rates. More rigorous driver education may improve safety on the roads as well. There are just too many inadequate drivers out there.
The speed limit isn't being adhered to as it is. Why not invoke the 85 percent rule and set speeds at the level 85 percent of the drivers now maintain? I believe the projected increase of 5,000 to 7,000 fatalities is pure statistical folly. Open your eyes. People already drive at speeds that are comfortable to them; many drive over the current speed limit. Studies show that drivers will drive at speeds that are comfortable to them regardless of the posted speed limit, and that accidents are greatly reduced in this ``comfort zone.''
No one says you have to drive at the speed limit. The speed limit is just what it says: the maximum speed on the roadway. If you're uncomfortable at 75 or 80 mph (the new rural speed limit, it is to be hoped), drive at 55 or 60 mph. Just make sure you stay in the right-hand lane except when passing.
Current speed limits are simply a revenue-producing tool for state governments, arbitrarily enforced and lacking any realism. Road and automobile technology are currently in use to provide safety at higher speed limits. Simply toughen up enforcement of laws governing inattentive/inadequate drivers to obtain significant safety increases.
Let's hear it for the repeal of asinine government regulations, and put the pedal to the metal!
George D. Noewatne Jr., of Blacksburg, is a graduate student at Virginia Tech studying civil engineering.
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