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From: lmg@houxb.UUCP (L.M.Geary)
Newsgroups: net.followup
Subject: Re: Fast driving
Message-ID: <247@houxb.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 14-Jan-84 13:24:27 EST
Article-I.D.: houxb.247
Posted: Sat Jan 14 13:24:27 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 15-Jan-84 05:55:51 EST
References: we53.199
Lines: 41

#
	The decrease in highway fatalities in 1974 also coincided
with one of the deepest economic recessions since the 1930's and
a tremendous increase in gasoline prices, both of which will tend
to decrease the number of drivers and miles driven, and also the
number of fatalities. There was another drop in fatalities in the
1979-1980 period when the same factors recurred and 55 was old news.

	In general, the trend in highway fatalities per 10**8 vehicle
miles has been decreasing for decades, mainly due to safer cars and
better built highways. The imposition of the 55mph limit caused no
significant change, up or down.

	Everyone knows that drunk drivers cause half of all highway
deaths. One driver in ten is drunk or drugged, some drink or take
drugs while driving. I recently heard that 90% of all highway accidents
involve an impaired driver. If you want to cut highway fatalities,
the course should be obvious.

	Of course a car will use more fuel at 70mph than at 55mph,
but the primary cause is wind resistance. A car with bad aerodynamic
design will spend as much fuel tunneling through the wind at 55mph
as a smoother car will spend at 70mph+.

	If fuel wastage concerns you (it concerns me), don't impose
speed laws, get a tuneup! Keeping the car properly maintained will 
cut fuel use ~15% at any speed. Just keeping your tires properly
inflated will cut ~5% off your gas bill. And of course a smaller
car get's better gas mileage. Improved engine design should contribute
to savings in the future.

	Highway driving would be a lot more pleasant if I didn't
have to keep checking for cops with radar guns (who travel from 
station to speed trap at 80mph) who ought to be arresting drunk
and erratic drivers or catching danerous criminals.

					Yours for higher speeds,

					Larry Geary
					AT&T Information Systems
					Holmdel, NJ ...houxb!lmg