I remember the 1974 fuel crisis as well. South Africa had recently adopted the metric system. All the mph speed restriction signs had been replaced by km/h speed restriction signs. Cars manufactured in 1972 or earlier had mph speedometers; cars manufactured in 1973 or later had km/h speedometers. It was then that the SA Government imposed a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h across the country with draconian fines if you broke the speed limit (You would say goodbye to $US 200 (1973 money) before asking the police officer how fast you were going). At the time I had completed my degree two years previously and was driving an early 1960's VW Variant. To this day I know the mph equivalents of 50 km/h, 60 km/h, 70 km/h and 80 km/h.
Although everybody learnt how to use km/h very quickly, I would not advocate it as a planned learning exercise. _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Paul Trusten Sent: 01 June 2007 14:48 To: U.S. Metric Association Cc: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:38815] measurement means all of us In 1974, I was discovering metrication, but also struggling along with the rest of the nation to cope with the gasoline panic. I thought the American people were learning a hard, new lesson about energy back then, but we forgot it as soon as the price of fuel became high enough to replenish the supply. I don't think we'll see a round of lowered speed limits unless a new oil shortage arises. With regard to using a speed limit change to promote sign metrication, no, we are not going metric piecemeal. That is precisely how it will not happen. It will be a tide, not a squall. After visiting Australia, and after some discussions I have had with fellow USMA officers, I am convinced now, more than ever, that U.S. metrication can occur only in a climate of vigorous support at the highest levels of our society's broad influences: demanded by industry, led by the President, enacted by a determined Congress, and then waved forward by an enthusiastic Fourth Estate. Measurement means all of us. But this doesn't mean we should feel helpless and just give up. I'm sure not giving up, and I shall continue to strongly urge industry and government to change over to SI, and work for changes that will promote the metric system nationally. Think in terms of a tide. Paul Stephen Gallagher wrote: On 1-Jun-07, at 00:58 , Jason Darfus wrote: I'm starting to hear in the media talk of reducing the nationwide speed limit to 55 (or 60) mph again. Heads up -- wouldn't that be a perfect time to switch to metric speed limit signs? And they could use the revenue from the increased number speeding tickets to help pay for the sign switch. -- Paul Trusten, R.Ph. Public Relations Director U.S. Metric Association, Inc. www.metric.org 3609 Caldera Blvd., Apt. 122 Midland TX 79707-2872 USA +1(432)528-7724 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
