"Has a similar threat ever been used to prevent a state
from unilaterally deciding to go metric with its
highway signs?"
As the federal govt. has been the major proponent of metric, I doubt it has
ever prevented any metric activity in a state. Although the original ISTEA
legislation prohibited the feds from spending any money to force metric
signs, the same law made the use of metric signs legal.
I would figure that all states have also made SI legal as well. Here is the
New Jersey statute stating so:
51:1-3. Use of both systems
The inch-pound system of weights and measures in customary use in the
United States and the metric system or System International (SI) of weights
and measures are jointly recognized, and one or the other, or both, of these
systems shall be used for all purposes in this State. The definitions of
basic units of weight and measure, the tables of weights and measures, and
the weights and measures equivalents, as published by the National Bureau of
Standards, are recognized and shall govern weighing and measuring equipment
and transactions in this State. It is the intent of the Legislature that
nothing in this section shall mandate the exclusive use of SI; however, its
use within this State is encouraged.
Remember that when a state adopts the MUTCD, it adopts the metric standards
and signage as well and therefore, is legal to install and maintain. (only
applies to signage and markings, not road design)
As for the legal status of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices,
here are the first 3 questions from the FAQ on their site:
What is the legal status of the MUTCD:
What is the legal status of the MUTCD?
The MUTCD is adopted by reference in accordance with title 23, United States
Code, Section 109(d) and Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Part
655.603, and is approved as the national standard for designing, applying,
and planning traffic control devices.
Does this mean that all traffic control devices must comply with MUTCD
standards?
Yes, all traffic control devices nationwide must conform to the MUTCD. There
are no exceptions.
The FHWA publishes the MUTCD, but who decides which traffic control devices
are selected and installed?
Although the FHWA adopts the standards, the individual State and local
highway agencies, not the FHWA, select, install, operate, and maintain
traffic control devices on all roadways (including the Interstate and the
U.S. numbered systems) nationwide.
Phil
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
Of Stephen Gallagher
Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2005 7:55 AM
To: U.S. Metric Association
Subject: [USMA:32108] RE: red circle speed limit
--- David King <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Obviously a different system to the UK, as here in
> the UK if people
> drive faster than the number in the red circle (in
> mph) then they can be
> fined for speeding regardless of how safe they might
> be driving.
> Interesting that some US states take a different
> approach, which only
> adds to the confusion! We need international
> standards on this so that
> everyone knows that a speed limit is a restriction
> not a guide.
A lot of that stems from the fact that the founders of
the US intended for the federal government to handle
as few items as necessary, and to leave all the rest
up to the individual states. So certain things
(defense, currency, setting national standards) do
fall under the federal government's umbrella, but any
other issues not specifically dictated to be under a
federal mandate in the US Constitution, comes under
the authority of the individual states.
That being said, the federal government has used
certain
ways to influence what the states do. When the
federal
government wanted to change the drinking age to 21
(from 18) they threatened to withhold highway funds
from any state that did not change. Since the
drinking age is legislated by each state, a state
could have chosen not to comply, but they
would have lost millions/billions in federal subsidies
for their roads.
Has a similar threat ever been used to prevent a state
from unilaterally deciding to go metric with its
highway signs?
