European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 2, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 the stars and stripes tuesday. September 2,1986 55 Mph supported and ignored poll finds most americans drive faster new York apr most of americans frequently drive faster than 55mph on highways but they oppose changing the nationwide Speed limit according to a Media general associated press pall. Eighty five percent of the 1,365 adults in the nationwide ice phone poll said they had exceeded the federally mandated 55-Mph Speed limit and 56 percent of them said they did so Al least half of the Lime according 10 the poll. Nevertheless. 54 per cell of the respondents opposed changing the limit which was decreed by Congress in 1974 and is facing increasing up position. Forty tour per cell said the limit should be increased i percent said in should be decreased and 1 per cell were registered As unsure. Most of those who wanted an in crease said 65 Mph would be Ideal. Not surprisingly slower Drivers were More Likely than faster Drivers to oppose chancing the Highway Speed limit. Tight in 10 of Hose who rarely exceeded 55 Mph opposed a change while the speeders wire evenly split on the  the West where Long empty sir riches of Highway seen endless Al 55 Mph a 56 per cell majority favored in creasing the Speed limit. Only 35 per cent of easterners 39 percent of mid Western cars and 47 percent of southerners favored an increase the 55-Mph Speed limit was imposed As a fuel conservation measure fallowing the Middle East Oil , with supplies plentiful and prices Low there has been an increased Effort to have ii repealed. Last month president Reagan endorsed in principle inc repeal of the nation s 55-Mph Speed limit to allow Stales to set their own Speed Laws. The Issue is politically important in the West where seven Republican senators arc seeking re election in  a Media general poll was con an electronic Marker above the Highway warns a Ruck Driver in Casa iaril., hint he is exceeding the 55-Mph Speed Lemil. Ducted before the president s position was  of the Speed limit cite safety reasons for keeping he Speed limit Al 55 Mph. The consumer group Public citizen estimates thai the limit saves Between 2,000 and 4,000 lives a but Stales have been lobbying to have the limit changed and some Are taking measures so protest or sidestep it. Nevada briefly increased the Speed limit to 70 Mph along one stretch of Highway and then filed a lawsuit charging in was being coerced into re Taining the 55-Mph limit when the Federal government briefly withdrew Highway  Minnesota speeding violations Are no longer recorded on a Dri or s record unless the violator was going Over 65 Mph. And getting caught going 70 Mph in North Dakota brings Only a is Fine a penalty not out of line with those in several Western  states thai go Loo far risk losing a portion of their Federal Highway funds. The government checks compliance and states where More than 50 percent of Drivers exceed the limit can lose Highway Money. In the Media Genera a poll 32 percent of the respondents said their slates were very strict in enforcing the 5s-Mph limit 39 percent said the slates were somewhat strict and 21percent said their slates were lax. Westerners were More Likely than residents of other regions to say their slates were lax in enforcing the Speed  in the Media general associated press poll included a ran Dom scientific sampling of 1,365 adults across the country june 20-28.the error Raie of he Media general a Telephone polls can vary by three percentage Points either Way. Military satellites called vulnerable to terrorists Washington