:Sigh: Speed Limits

[slngsht]

here we go again...

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An influential Republican senator suggested Thursday that Congress might want to consider reimposing a national speed limit to save gasoline and possibly ease fuel prices.

 

 

Sen. John Warner has asked the Energy Department at what speeds vehicles would be most fuel efficient.

 

Sen. John Warner, R-Virginia, 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.

 

Congress in 1974 set a national 55 mph speed limit because of energy shortages caused by the Arab oil embargo. The speed limit was repealed in 1995 when crude oil dipped to $17 a barrel and gasoline cost $1.10 a gallon.

 

As motorists headed on trips for this Fourth of July weekend, gasoline averaged $4.10 a gallon nationwide, with oil hovering around $145 a barrel.

 

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.

 

"Given the significant increase in the number of vehicles on America's highway system from 1974 to 2008, one could assume that the amount of fuel that could be conserved today is far greater," Warner wrote Bodman.

 

Warner asked the department to determine at what speeds vehicles would be most fuel efficient, how much fuel savings would be achieved, and whether it would be reasonable to assume there would be a reduction in prices at the pump if the speed limit were lowered.

 

Energy Department spokeswoman Angela Hill said the department will review Warner's letter but added, "If Congress is serious about addressing gasoline prices, they must take action on expanding domestic oil and natural gas production."

 

The department's Web site says that fuel efficiency decreases rapidly when traveling faster than 60 mph. Every additional 5 mph over that threshold is estimated to cost motorists "essentially an additional 30 cents per gallon in fuel costs," Warner said in his letter, citing the DOE data.

 

 

 

hmmm... the only thing that's FAR greater today is the ability of law enforcement to install speed cameras once the revenue potential of these devices sky rockets due to stupid speed limits.

 

gasoline consumption is already on its way down, people are dumping big SUVs in favor of smaller more efficient cars. Let the market work its magic. Believe me, I drive slower and do my mini version of "hyper miling" to save gas when reasonable.

 

Ford truck sales are down almost 50% from last year.

 

All this from a pub. What is this world coming to?

[MHKflyer52]

The gov would due better to conserve fuel if they were to make it advantageous for cities to build high-speed mass transit systems that actually ran to places that people could walk to and from instead of having to drive to the places that they tend to go such as work and home.

Just my belief but look at the cities that have these systems already in place from the turn of the century, they are the hubs of commerce for the world in most cases.

 

By the way if gas for my cars was $10 per gallon I would still buy it and use it due to the fact that I belive if I one can not aford the toys one has or wants then they just have to due with out those toys in life and besides life is to short and you can not take your money with you when you are gone and if anyone knows how to take it with you please let me know as I am not leaving mine to anyone especially the government.

[gjslutz]

55 MPH while both sides of the isle jet all around while we get to pay for them.

[powderbrake]

What makes the Senator think he is the source of knowledge for fuel mileage. This is just one more instance of the damngovernment involving itself in our lives. These are the same guys who gave us ethanol..... talk about unintended consequences !!!

 

My feelings on the government are: Guard the shores, deliver the mail , and get the heck out of my life!!!!!!

 

Iv'e been on a road trip to Seattle, mainly on the blue highways, and "enforced" speed limits would make the trip much longer. As it is, 80 to 90 on the two lanes seems to be the norm. Of course you have to be alert, during any kind of driving. In Wyoming, as I crested a hill I came upon this. As you can see from the road, I was moving at warp 6, but the vette has great brakes.:ack:

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/111448073_DSC_5093 (Medium).JPG

[JBH]

The gov would due better to conserve fuel if they were to make it advantageous for cities to build high-speed mass transit systems that actually ran to places that people could walk to and from instead of having to drive to the places that they tend to go such as work and home.

Just my belief but look at the cities that have these systems already in place from the turn of the century, they are the hubs of commerce for the world in most cases.

 

Highways are the most efficient place to run cars. Want to conserve fuel? Start with reducing traffic in cities: how about spending money on mass transit, timing of traffic lights, more bicycle lanes, 4/80 or 9/80 work weeks and educating the general public on energy conservation.

 

I agree - the cities that have the best mass transit systems have become and will continue to be the hubs of commerce in the future.

[locostv8]

 

Highways are the most efficient place to run cars. Want to conserve fuel? Start with reducing traffic in cities: how about spending money on mass transit, timing of traffic lights, more bicycle lanes, 4/80 or 9/80 work weeks and educating the general public on energy conservation.

 

I agree - the cities that have the best mass transit systems have become and will continue to be the hubs of commerce in the future.

 

Eliminate any tolls on any highway any federal funds have been spent on.