Is the Speed Limit a Gas Saver?
Sen. John Warner asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to look into what speed limit would provide optimum gasoline efficiency given current technology. He said he wants to know if the administration might support efforts in Congress to require a lower speed limit. Warner cited studies that showed the 55 mph speed limit saved 167,000 barrels of oil a day, or 2 percent of the country’s highway fuel consumption, while avoiding up to 4,000 traffic deaths a year. Let’s see what some of my friend had to say on Friendfeed.
I read an article before which said at $4/gallon, every 5 MPH over 60 MPH essentially adds 20 cents to the price of gas. – Scott Watermasysk
Funny thread comment re: the constitution in there. I can hear Jimmy Carter’s energy crisis speech now…"by 1981 this nation will be free of it’s dependence on foreign oil…" Er, I think not. – BISQ
In the words of Sammy Haggar, I can’t drive 55. – alanoakes
Is 55 some magic number? None of the changes in engine technology or whatever in the past 30 years affects that point of efficiency? Just curious and a little surprised. – felix
Want some real perspective? My 2000 Pontiac Grand Am averaged 26 MPG. The Model A Ford… 26 MPG. Figure that one out. – Brian Norwood
55 is actually a magic number, felix. Actually 60mph. In wind tunnel tests, most cars’ fuel efficiency drops off severely over 60mph. – J. Phil
The national speed limit was repealed in 1995 because the US House was controlled by Republicans for the first time since 1954. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U… – Christian Burns
Wasn’t this tried once before? What was the result then? – Brian Sullivan
I’ll raise you one fail whale that it is. A lot of the issues (beyond the obvious) have to do with how inefficient start/stop driving is. – Steve Spalding
As I recall it was accompanied by price controls and the result was gas shortages and no re-election. :D – Hal Rottenberg via twhirl
I’m not opposed to it…but we might as well make it 90 km/h since so many signs would need to be changed. – Thomas Lopez Jr
I’m opposed to it because I’m not a fan of big brother now big mother style of government. what’s next? perhaps one car per household? – Hal Rottenberg via twhirl
I think the best gas saver would be huge incentives for companies to allow workers to telecommute. And 4 10-hour days for workers who can not. Both of those would seriously decrease the demand of gas and should eventually run the price down. – Tad Donaghe
I vote for the 4 10 hour days, And yes I remember 55 MPH everywhere. I spent 6 years of my life driving to places that I will never get back But even now I think about the gas tank when I go over 65 mph here. – Earl E Morningwood
Agree with Tad – four day week and lots more telecommuting would both help a lot. Always baffles me why telecommuting still seems to have so little support. – Patrick Jordan
Agree with Hal…I believe voluntary interactions provide solutions much quicker and more efficiently than arbitrary "mandates." – Chris Rossini
Lower speed limits will make me use more gas. Slowing down from 80 to 55 every time I see a cop and then speeding back up to 80 again takes more gas than just driving 80. And for those who say 80 is too fast, move to Atlanta and try to drive slower. – Adam
I’m sure the national speed limit saved some gas. It was also a bonanza for law enforcement and we all hated it. Wanna save gas? Send everyone a coupon worth $500 at their local bicycle store. Wanna mandate something? Start with bike lanes. – Chris Baskind
@Adam Brilliant – my best laugh of the day. – Kevin Shannon
how about a large initiative to fix rail lines across the country. – David Weiner
@Adam HAH! That’s exactly my speed limit as well. They may as well just change all the signs and let the cops do something useful elsewhere. – Rahsheen Porter
Rail and bicycles…that’d fail here in Atlanta (hi Adam). My commute is 26 miles, and so is almost everybody else’s. – Hal Rottenberg via twhirl
Changing the law to change people’s habits is retarded. The government has no business whatsoever meddling in how we drive other than to make sure we are driving safely. Once gas hit ~ $3.75 a gallon I started driving 60 mph most of the time. I don’t need the federal government changing laws to tell me I can save money that way. Smart people just know it and the ones that can afford the usage should be allowed to. – Richard Miles
Just from watching the consumption screen, the Prius gets the best mileage between 55 & 60. – Mike Cohen
Do you think implementing a Federal 55 mph speed limit is the answer to saving gas? What other methods are there to truly make a nationwide difference? Let’s hear your thoughts.
The speed limit was repealed in 1995 when crude oil dipped to $17 a barrel and gasoline cost $1.10 a gallon … this Fourth of July weekend, gasoline averaged $4.10 a gallon nationwide, with oil hovering around $145 a barrel. – Wow, that puts it in perspective. – Gary Bacon II