I have responded as follows:
I am writing from the United Kingdom. The current version of the AP stylebook mandates "kph" as the abbreviation for "kilometres per hour". May I respectfully suggest that you change this to "km/h". English is the most widely understood language in Europe, but most of Europe uses the metric system. In order to facilitate communication, Europeans probably tend to adhere to internationally-agreed conventions more than do Americans - in particular for the symbols (not abbreviations) for units of measure. Thus an Italian will use "km/h" for "Chilometri all'ora" while a German will use "km/h" for "Kilometer pro Stunde" - the characters "km" and "h" relating to internationally agreed convention rather than letters in their own language. Most cars in the US and the UK have dual-unit speedometers - the metric display having the text "km/h" not "kph". (Please check your own car) Thus "km/h" is widely used in both countries. In conclusion, if AP is to keep its credibility in Europe, it should be aware of subtleties such as this that detract from it in European eyes. Martin Vlietstra _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John M. Steele Sent: 24 October 2011 17:08 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:51279] 2012 AP Stylebook Suggestion Form Now Open The AP Stylebook is the "cause" of most incorrect metric usage in the media, such as the use of kph for km/h. They have a short period of accepting suggestions in the fall for the next edition of the AP Stylebook. I found the submittal form open today and they are accepting suggestions through November 15. http://www.apstylebook.com/?do=social_media I used the form to resubmit the three page analysis I sent them earlier this summer. I hope many of you will submit suggestions, in particular for the use of km/h in preference to kph, and better guidelines for when the metric should be retained in the article, as well as any other incorrect usage that bugs you. Write your suggestion in your own style. However, I think the strongest argument for km/h, and particularly automotive writers is FMVSS 101 (safety standard on instrument panel marking.) The US requires a "miles" speedometer, but allows a secondary indication in kilometers per hour. That MUST be marked km/h; kph would be an illegal marking under FMVSS 101. Automotive writers write using a symbol that Federal law forbids on the cars they write about because AP requires them to do it wrong. If you intend to comment, do so before Nov. 15. After that, the form stays up but the comments are not really accepted. They send you an email with a link you have to click on for the comment to actually go through. I learned last year they close the process after Nov. 15, so I wasted time with a suggestion no human ever saw.
