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Show 4 Signpost Tuesday, 22 July 1986 Gov't uses 'arm twisting' tactics to enforce speed laws Amy Bryson Staff Reporter Earlier this month, Nevada found out that "Big Brother" means what he says when it comes to following his rules. Utah's neighbor to the West increased the speed limit from 55 to 75 mph on a 33-mile stretch of interstate east of Reno. The result? The federal government promptly withdrew more than $60 million in road-building aid, forcing Nevada to back down and reinstate the old speed limit. Since 1974, when the nationwide 55 mph speed limit law was passed, several western states have expressed chagrin at the mandated law. The contention is that western states, which boast of rural country roads and wide open spaces, are ill-fitted to a law which is designed for busy freeways. Additionally, when the law was passed, it was viewed as a probable solution to the gas-crunch that had the United States ia its grip. At that time, proponents for reducing the speed limit claimed that driving at a slower speed would conserve energy and save lives. The lower speed limit MAY have done just that. But -it's time to implement new laws and do away with some that have outworn their welcome. In western states such as Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, it's reasonable that some interstates could stand a speed limit increase without the threat of adding to the list of highway deaths. In answer to those who feel 70 mph is an unsafe speed, I recommend the state impose tougher driver education courses which offer tight restrictions for the teenage driver as well as the senior citizen. Drivers, particularly the very young and very old, should be put through "mock" situations to test their reflex time. Simulated crises situations, like having a blow-out, an obstacle suddenly appear in the roadway and others, should be mandatory pre-requisites for getting a license. Just as drivers are ticketed for going 10 mph over the speed limit, so should they be ticketed for driving too slow. Those who fail to signal, who make their turns too wide or simply pull out in front of you should be ticketed just as speedily as those who drive too fast. Some recent letters to the editor published in the Ogden Standard Examiner reflect the intellect of what Utah drivers are famous for. The letters read, in effect, that "Christian" drivers drive slow so as not to endanger lives. I believe an overly-cautious slow driver who pays no attention to those around him is a bigger threat than someone who drives fast and knows where he's going. As a Huntsville resident, I have seen the makings of a near -accident too may times because some "Christian" driver chose to take the canyon at 10 mph under the speed limit. The road in Ogden Canyon gives no quarter to those of us stuck behind a "Christian" driver. Its winding curves afford little time to pass, and a driver has nowhere to go should he make the wrong decision. And those wrong decisions can come in leaps and bounds on summer weekends when the road is packed with would-be recreationers. It takes one "Christian" driver to bottle up traffic the perfect recipe for accidents.In short, many western states should have higher speed limits in some areas. They should fight the federal government and its arm-twisting tactics by increasing the limit where they feel it is appropriate. In turn, a tougher driver education course should be implemented, to make Utah drivers competent in any situation. 'And this baby will do over 160 miles an hour!' PRO and CONsensus Do you feel the 55 mph speed limit is beneficial to the driving public? a j I ' J, K. , , w - : i A "It depends on where you are. Going home to Moab, it's hard to go 55, but in populated areas, 55 is a good idea." Leslie Allard Senior "It's beneficial if everyone followed it, but no one follows it. I feel if you drive 55, you'll get killed. I do feel it's beneficial." Nahid Dolkhani Senior "No, the slow drivers get in the way and are a hazard to fast drivers, and I don't have time to waste on the road." Nate Oliver Senior "Within populated areas, they are definitely good, but out in the deserts, there is no reason." Doug Potter Junior - "I" i . V J t "I do. I think with the stats, 55 is working." Lee Knudsen Junior "Yes, it saves on gas, decreases auto accidents and makes driving safer." Cordon Hill Freshman "No, I think yo;u should drive with the flow of traffic, whether it be 45, 55 or 65 miles per hour." Shawna Gregory Senior "No, nobody obeys the laws. Highways were designed for 65. They should do it." Dean Clanville Graduate (Interviews: llene Wangsgard Signpost photos: Jeff Bybee) Letter Policy The Signpost welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be typed and should not exceed 400 words in length. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel, and reserves the right to refuse to print any letter deemed inappropriate. Letters must include name,' address and signature of the writer. Deadlines for letters to the editor are Thursdays at noon for Tuesday's edition. |