Suzuki Samurai was Re: [geeks] SPARC proprietary (waaaay

[Phil Stracchino]

On Mon, Oct 13, 2003 at 04:30:15PM -0700, N. Miller wrote:
> The 55mph limit was passed during the "energy crisis"
> based on dubious evidence that 55mph was the optimum
> speed for highest miles per gallon.  Additional support
> for it came from the high number of highway fatalities.

In this context, it's interesting to see a graph of highway fatality
rates per year with the beginning and ending points of the Federal 55
limit marked.  I saw such a graph several years ago, and you could
clearly see that it was basically a straight-line regression with a
"hump" superimposed between the start and end of the double nickel.
Indications are, screams of "SPEED KILLS!" aside, the 55 limit actually
*increased* highway fatalities.


-- 
 .*********  Fight Back!  It may not be just YOUR life at risk.  *********.
 : phil stracchino : unix ronin : renaissance man : mystic zen biker geek :
 :  alaric at caerllewys.net : alaric-ruthven at earthlink.net : phil at latt.net  :
 :   2000 CBR929RR, 1991 VFR750F3 (foully murdered), 1986 VF500F (sold)   :
 :    Linux Now!   ...Because friends don't let friends use Microsoft.    :