Many Americans tread cautiously around the metric system. It is regarded by the public with deep suspicion, as it lacks any fractions. No success has been realized in converting the heathen Americans to the metric scale system. There is a solitary Interstate highway that uses metric units to this day, Interstate 19 in Arizona. nineteen runs from the border of Mexico to Tuscon, so it’s not as if it is a large highway. Many clamor for an end to the metric scale signs, and a return to standard measurement.
Arizona’s I-19
Interstate 19 is the only interstate highway that features metric units of distance, or kilometers. The highway isn’t a terribly long stretch though. It’s only a four hour drive in total, running from Tuscon to Nogales. All road signs are in kilometers. The exit numbers are different too. Typically, exit numbers correlate with distance in miles. The state is looking into replacing the marks, as outlined by the NY Times, and it could cost over $1 million. Apparently, a few people are getting confused. If it should happen, all road signs will need new exit numbers, and all businesses along the way will need brand new brochures, so those are who’ll actually pay the price. Also, motorists heading north from Mexico will even be confused, as Mexico uses the metric scale system.
Why kilo off a great tradition?
The system of measurement used in the United States is one of the numerous cultural holdovers from England. Changes were made, naturally. Most of our measurements though, for instance pints and miles, feet, and inches, are from the English system. We aren’t alone, though. According to Wikipedia, there are two other countries that don’t use the metric scale method. Nevertheless, it may not seem the best of company. Those nations are Liberia and Burma. Nevertheless, there have been a number of attempts to determine about converting the U.S. to the metric method. The very last one was a pilot study begun by the Ford administration.
Conversion not likely
The signs on Interstate 19 will probably get modified in some way eventually, and it isn’t likely the United States will adopt the metric scale method any time soon. It is, nevertheless, still mandatory that students learn it though. Scientists all use the metric scale system above all others.
Find more details on this subject
NY Times
nytimes.com/2010/09/15/us/15highway.html?_r=1 and ref=automobilesvv
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_the_United_States
