Nat Hager III reported in USMA 20984
>In the Scotsman today...
>
>Nat
>
>------------------------
>
>The Scotsman
>July 12, 2002, Friday
>SECTION: Pg. 1
>LENGTH: 272 words
>HEADLINE: MILE SET TO FADE AWAY AND DIE
>BYLINE: Alison Hardie
>BODY:
>
>THE mile, the last bastion of the Imperial system, is to be phased out - but
>not until many more of those baffled by the kilometre have died off.
>
>The government quietly announced yesterday that road signs for distances and
>speed limits will be given in kilometres under European harmonisation
>regulations. David Jamieson, the transport minister, said there were no
>immediate plans to ditch miles and yards yet, but the time was rapidly
>approaching.
>
>He added: "Although many drivers are familiar with metric units, it would
>not be appropriate to fix a date for converting speed limit and distance
>signs while there is still likely to be a significant proportion of drivers
>for whom the change could be confusing."
>
>A source in the Department of Transport said the government would wait only
>until older drivers who were not familiar with metric units were in a
>minority before pressing ahead with meeting an EU directive set in 1980.
>
>Imperial campaigners condemned the plans as a "logistical nightmare" and
>vowed to fight the government through the courts to save road signs in
>miles. One campaigner said: "Numerous independent surveys have shown that 75
>per cent of the population, including those between 18 and 20, think in
>Imperial and not metric. If the government is serious about waiting until a
>majority thinks in metric, they will have a long wait - most people driving
>now would have to be dead."
>
>A kilometre is 0.621 of a mile. However, it is thought the government will
>not reset a 70mph sign at the accurate conversion of 110kph, but at 100kph
>in an attempt to reduce accidents.
That argument can be used to delay indefinitely conversion from MPH to km/h.
When the Canadian roads were converted to metric in September 1977, most
speed limits were raised slightly.
30 MPH became 50 km/h
40 MPH became 70 km/h
50 MPH became 80 km/h
60 MPH became 100 km/h
70 MPH became 110 km/h
Thus the change was accepted without protest. Or perhaps it was because
Canadians don't pay much attention to speed limits. In Quebec cautionary
speed signs before curves ended in 5.
Joseph B.Reid
17 Glebe Road West
Toronto M5P 1C8 Tel. 416 486-6071
