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From: mberns@ut-ngp.UUCP (Mark Bernstein)
Newsgroups: net.auto.tech
Subject: Re: Speedometer limits
Message-ID: <2728@ut-ngp.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 18-Dec-85 10:50:02 EST
Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.2728
Posted: Wed Dec 18 10:50:02 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 20-Dec-85 02:56:45 EST
References: <1400@cornell.UUCP> <-74821361@techsup> <272@bunny.UUCP>
Organization: UTexas Computation Center, Austin, Texas
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> From: cpr0@bunny.UUCP (C. Rosebrugh)
> ...Seriously, though, what's the regulation behind the maximum numbers on a
> speedometer? How come the majority of them went to 85MPH some years back?


I can't answer some of the other questions, but it was my understanding
that when the Feds mandated 55 mph speed limits, there was an attempt
to create a psychological incentive of sorts for people to get used to
and obey that limit.   Since relatively few cars could actually go as fast
as 100 mph (let alone 140), putting 85 or so (it was arbitrary) as the
top end of the speedometer would be more "realistic".  The psychological
angle was supposedly that with a higher-reading speedometer, a driver
would see all that room "above" 55 and have a tendency to push the pedal
to the floor, since 55 itself would seem "pokey" (at least as viewed on
the speedometer dial itself).  Having the limit at 85 would make 55 seem
"faster" (insofar as it would look "higher" on the dial), and thus
discourage people from going faster.  Note that on such speedometers, 55 is 
also highlighted in some way (printed in red, or whatever).   You can 
figure out for yourself whether this strategy makes any sense or worked
at all.

Why the Dept. of Transportation changed the law "back" again is a mystery
to me.

- Mark Bernstein (UT - Austin, Speech)