That means you'd be pushing 80 mph to leave a bare margin for
maneuvering during an emergency landing. Imagine running off the road at
80 mph in your car. Ouch.

Unfortunately you are quite correct. I recently worked with three men
who landed a Lancair IV-P on a small paved private strip. On
touchdown the right main got off the pavement and the plane veered
into the trees at 90 mph. Only one of the three was lucky enough to
survive.

High landing speeds carry more kinetic energy. The kinetic energy at
90 mph is 2.25 times greater than at 60 mph.

Dean