How come the US use the "Mile" system, instead of "Kilometer" system?

Answer 1

The kilometer system you refer to is called the "Metric" system, and miles are of the "Imperial" system. The imperial system was brought to america from jolly old England, as well as english colonies. since then, however, many countries have swithched to the metric system, as it is based around a decimal (miltiples of 10) system.

To change over to a new system is very expensive, and takes a lot of education of your citizens. Remember, everyone needs to be taught how to use the new system. All roadsigns need to be changed over, people need to know how to adjust their speed on roads, it's a big job. I guess America's government doesn't see enough merit in it to change.

Answer 2

Believe it or not, the metric system is recognized in the United States and by business within the U.S. However, it's never truly caught on with the masses.

I found the following from Ask.yahoo.com, and it explains in the second paragraph why we in the U.S. never really converted to kilometers. Boils down to confusion. :(
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The U.S. has used the metric system since 1866, when Congress first made it legal. While traditional units of measurement like gallons and inches remain the default for everyday use, the country's scientific and business communities are longtime supporters of all things metric.

Readers might remember the government's attempts to bring the metric system to the masses. In 1975, Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act. Highway signs that once measured distances only in miles now listed distances in kilometers also. The Federal Highway Administration received thousands of complaints, so the project was soon abandoned. It seems you just can't teach an old motorist new tricks.

Answer 3

Jeesh - we took our measurments system from England during the settlement days. Weights and Standards did change over time, we no longer weight in Stones and such. Miles, feet, inches stayed with us.
Even when the US gov tried to convert to metric the dual system used during the learning curve failed totally. Peole just used what they wanted. Hence all the KM markers on the east coast are falling down and not being replaced.

Answer 4

It has to do with tradition, familiarity, and resistance to change. Another part has to do with rebellion and independence. People who believe that the S. I. system is better than the English Engineering system or the British gravitational standard are misguided. No one system is better than another. It is a matter of education. That is all it is, a matter of education. If you learn a system then it is a good system. Any system you choose not to learn is a bad system for you.

Answer 5

The metric system, while easy because it is base-ten, has no other real connection to our Earthly measurements. I once read that the meter is that way bacause that is how far light travels in .000000000124 seconds or so; (get real).

I think there's a very good reason to use the mile. If I remember correctly it has to do with the curvature of the Earth - one mile as one arc-minute or hour or something....
here it is...
"it is important to remember that a "nautical mile" is exactly one minute of arc on the Earth's surface."

Answer 6

The US wanted to be different from england. It is a far more complicated system, therefore no other country has adopted it.

Answer 7

We are lazy and stubborn....we like to piss everyone off by making conversions just that much more confusing.

Answer 8

One of my elementary school teachers told me it's because the U.S. want to be different. *shrug*

Answer 9

same reason why we do everything else our own way...we just love to be different