Motormouth Online

It's my belief that the Federal 55MPH speed limit was one of the worst laws passed during the last 50 years. I acknowledge the twin goals of saving lives and energy are among the most noble reasons for passing new legislation. It is a fact that reducing the maximum speed on our highways would help save many of the 40,000 lives lost in traffic accidents every year. Reducing speed would save consumers thousands of dollars, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and save the planet from additional pollution. So if reducing speed has such great consequences, why would I say that the 55MPH speed limit is a bad law.

This law did more to foster the disregard for the rule of law than any other single act in my memory. An entire generation grew up with the reality that 55 MPH really means 60 or 65 MPH. No other law was regarded with such impunity by so many people. Teenagers learned that even the most responsible and pious adult broke the law. Parents, preachers, professors, and even police officers routinely stretched this law. In fact, to obey this speed limit often put the driver in a position of causing an unsafe condition.

We should have learned this lesson from the failure of the 18^th amendment to the US Constitution. As otherwise honest citizens routinely ignored alcohol prohibition, the very principle of the rule of law was injured. Unenforceable laws concerning prostitution, marijuana and gambling do more to perpetuate lawlessness than encourage good behavior. The result of limiting personal freedom and liberty with laws that cannot and will not be enforced is that we teach disrespect for the rule of law.

While we are addicted to making laws concerning driving behavior, Drivers Education is fading from our public schools. Cars are not competitive in the market unless they can accelerate to twice the legal speed limit in a mere matter of seconds, and fast food drive-ins encourage us to eat and drink while driving.

Currently the discussion is to outlaw driving while talking or texting on a cell phone. We know any distraction is dangerous behavior. Research suggests that usage of a mobile phone impairs driving at a greater degree than driving while intoxicated. Reduction or limiting cell phone use while driving would save lives and prevent injuries. Yet we know that this law will be ignored, just as the 55 MPH speed limit was ignored. Saving lives is a noble goal but preserving respect for law and liberty is an even greater goal.

Let's see if we can't find a solution to driver distraction that doesn't require another unenforceable law.