The limit is currently too low on many roads across the United States, North Carolina included but not at the top of that list. In my close to 40-plus years and 3 million miles of experience on roads all across the United States and six other countries, low limits below the safe speed slow no one down.

I can attest from having lived through the last 55 limit disaster that low limits don't work, and a posted limit below the 85th percentile accomplishes nothing but money put into state coffers from enforcement. Low limits damage enforcement of all limits everywhere -- damage that we in North Carolina still suffer from on two-lane roads that all still are underposted at 55 across North Carolina, many of which can easily and safely handle 65 to 70 mph, which is what is enforced and driven today by most across our state.

But this is not an issue any longer in the western states. All but Oregon have raised their limit to a more appropriate 65 to 80 mph on roads that always could handle this speed safely.

I went from a 5 to 10 mpg Chevy in 1973 to a 30 to 40 mpg Toyota when the price spiked during the first oil shock, and never looked back. In fact, I never slowed down the first time, and I wasn't alone. I haven't owned a car that achieved below 30 to 35 mpg since. I see all that bought into the SUV craze and now getting what they deserve in fuel costs. Currently, I drive a less than 10-year-old 50-plus mpg Volkswagen Passat and Jetta turbodiesel, and that is at the speeds we all drive today.

Trying this dumb idea of a lower-than-will-be-observed limit again on roads designed to safely handle 70 to 80 mph will do nothing, as it will be 99 percent ignored by all, again. The Highway Patrol never even tried to enforce 55 the first time because it wasn't possible, so what makes anyone believe they could this time?

Gene Yandle
Mooresville

Law vs. reality

Theoretically, the cost/benefit analysis of any speed limit can be answered by professional transportation engineers and economists. Logically, legislation should follow.

Realistically, the actual driving speed on highway corridors bears little resemblance to the legislated mandates. The collective driving speed in any corridor is democracy in action. Work-zone design is often mandated to assume 85 percent of the drivers will be speeding.

Individually, drivers weigh the cost/benefit of earlier arrival times versus their personal inconvenience and adding to the burden of the legal and medical systems. For some, it makes perfect sense to hurry to the beach and risk arrest so they can relax.

My preference is for 55 mph. Setting the cruise control at the speed limit allows one to rubber-neck, and the mind to meander and enjoy the scenic North Carolina landscape between the billboards. The petroleum savings dividend allows one to proclaim that "oil's well that ends well" when you safely arrive at your destination.

Richard J. Homovec
Raleigh

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