Would You Drive 55?

Time ^ | Friday, Jul. 25, 2008 | WILLIAM SCHULTZ

[Entrepreneur]

Liberals say Iraq is another Vietnam; conservatives say Barack Obama is Jimmy Carter redux. ABBA's a mega-hit and Elton John's going to be performing at Madison Square Garden. Had enough of these '70s flashbacks? Brace yourself for another: the return of the national speed limit, courtesy of one of the country's most venerable politicians.

Senator John Warner (R-VA) — elected in 1978 — recently expressed interest in the idea of a national speed limit to conserve gasoline. Warner, who is not running for re-election this year, wrote to U.S. Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman, asking "at what speed is the typical vehicle traveling on America's highways today most fuel efficient?"

Warner told TIME his concern is for "the many millions and millions [of Americans] of limited means, sitting around their kitchen table trying to figure out how to make ends meet." Unlike long-term alternative energy sources, Warner says, a speed limit would work to bring down gas prices immediately. "Maybe some guy's got a better idea," he says. "But I haven't seen it."

The National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph was created in 1974, when Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Energy Highway Conservation Act. Prior to that, states had been free to set their own speed limits, but the new law threatened to strip Federal highway funding from any state straying above the national standard. The ostensible purpose of this limit was to keep down gas prices, which had been driven through the roof by an OPEC embargo touched off by the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. And with gas-prices once again sky-high, Warner isn't alone in talking up a cap on speeding.

[Entrepreneur]

Thank God Warner is on his way out. Vote for a RINO and this is what you get.

Obama scares/disgusts me so much I might actually vote for McCain (can't believe I'm thinking about that). I think McCain will win. If he does, he's cut from the same cloth as Nixon (philosophically, if not morally). I fear for the country if McCain wins. I fear more if McCain loses.

All you need to know about Obama is that Jimmah Cahtah is cheering Obama on. It's Carter's only chance to avoid going down in history as the worst U.S. president ever.

[pgkdan]

The only time I drive 55 is in a 35.

[Dr.Deth]

Two more votes 'no'.

[Cicero]

Why stop at 55? Why not set the national speed limit at 30? Or maybe 25.

Then you could recycle most of the speed limit signs around the country, too, since the same limit would be imposed everywhere.

Or maybe we should make it 15 MPH, so we can recycle those school zone signs, too.

[RightWhale]

Doesn’t matter to me. I rarely drive over 50 anyway.

[JimSEA]

I drive 75 (limit is 65) on I-5 between Roseburg OR and Portland OR. I am usually almost run off the road with fully half the cars going 80 or more. I know, I am one of those irritating “older” drivers. However, can you imagine the chaos if a 55 limit is enforced. No thanks!!

[TLI]

Warner, who is not running for re-election this year, wrote to U.S. Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman, asking "at what speed is the typical vehicle traveling on America's highways today most fuel efficient?"

The peak of the power curve for my Blazer is at 2100 rpm. Depending on the size tires I have on at the time that is 65 to 70 mph.

Sorry Warner, find somthing else to go out on.

[dfwddr]

The only time I drive 55 is in a 35.

So your the one slowing me down !!!!!!

[dvan]

"All you need to know about Obama is that Jimmah Cahtah is cheering Obama on. It's Carter's only chance to avoid going down in history as the worst U.S. president ever. "
Plus Algore and Kennedy! Har! Har!

[meyer]

No, I would not drive 55. I don’t adhere to 70 now.

[Gay State Conservative]

I regularly drive Interstates..including a regular trip of about 70 miles.On these trips I set my cruise at 62 instead of 70 (my previous cruising speed on Interstates).Doing this gets me,according to my trip computer,34 MPG as opposed to 30 MPG.Arriving 10 minutes later on the 70 mile trip is worth the extra mileage to me...not because I'm devastated by higher gas prices but because I want to send less $$$ to psychopaths in Venezuela,Iran,etc.

[cw35]

If I wanted to drive 55 I wouldn’t have bought a sports coupe.

[Sherman Logan]

I believe the maximum average gas mileage on the interstate would be achieved by enforcing a 45 mph speed limit.

Not that I’m necessarily in favor of it.

[Vince Ferrer]

Anyone who wants to drive 55 can already voluntarily do so.

[VeniVidiVici]

If I recall, it didn’t bring down gas prices in the 70s either. These idiots don’t really remember because they have chauffers to drive them and they CAN’T GET A TICKET (ask any Kennedy).

One thing that did happen after the national speed limit was set to 55 was that we had gas rationing. Odd/even, blah, blah. Worked really well didn’t, Warner?

[netmilsmom]

>>Anyone who wants to drive 55 can already voluntarily do so.<<

My FRiend! You win the prize!!!!

[edpc]

I didn’t drive 55 when it was the law years ago. I don’t see that changing now.

[eclecticEel]

And with the stroke of a pen we become a nation of law-breakers. This will turn into nothing but a revenue creator for the highway patrol.

[dalereed]

I’ll kep it @75-85, 65 makes me too nervous!

[stylin19a]

actually, the states were still free to tell the feds to pound salt and a couple of them did.

The posted speed limit on highways in the urban Chicago area is 55 anyway. ( go only 55 and a trucks will eat your lunch)

[stylin19a]

And with gas-prices once again sky-high, ...

gas went from 38 cents a gallon to 55 cents a gallon in june of 1974 - SKY HIGH !

[bert]

A reinstatement of the 55 mph speed limit will induce a depression. The productivity loss will more than offset any possible gain in fuel usage.

Business will flounder. Jobs will be lost.

[antiunion person]

I drive a semi truck and the speed limit in California and Oregon is already 55 for us. Washington is 60. In California, the split limit is 70 for cars and 55 for trucks. The amount of rear ender accidents is enormous. Cars drive up on me doing 90, I drive 60 and the CHP stops me for going over the limit, Here on the west (wrong) coast going to 55 wouldn't bother me but when I finally get out of this slow poke states I can finally run at 75. Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and other states are smart enough to have a faster speed limit where it is safe. California needs to raise it's limit to 70 for trucks especially on I-5, I-40, I-10 and other places that it's safe to run faster. Texas used to have a 60 during the day and 55 at night limit for trucks. Now, they changed it to 70 during the day and 65 at night so it doesn't take three days to drive across it.
Lastly, most vehicles run more efficiently at 65 than 55. For a fact, my truck, gets better mileage at 65. Tell the politicians to keep their hands off the speed limits and do something that may help the price of oil.... DRILL, DRILL, DRILL

[mathluv]

Most of my driving is in town, so it would not have much impact. The one time I drove on I-20 to Dallas, I got the best gas mileage ever going around 70.

[Eaker]

If you want to drive 45 get on the feeder and knock yourself out.

How fast I drive is not your business. Speed limits are the maximum safe speed for the road, not how fast a stupid liberal wants me to drive.

[Cyber Liberty]

Sure, I’d drive 55...for a few moments as I accelerate to 85.

[tina07]

I remember....

[Chode]

there is no 55 on my speedo. it goes, 40 | | | 60

[Sherman Logan]

I commented on what speed would produce the maximum efficiency, not on whether that speed should become law.

Try reading more carefully.

[TNCMAXQ]

Seems to me like there are only 2 types of drivers on the highways these days: The ones who go way over the speed limit, and the ones who get in the way of everyone else by going at their own leisurely rate. Both scare and annoy me. It’s rare that I get to even set the cruise control at 65 because I always seem to have the misfortune of getting behind someone going to slow. Then I change lanes and have to speed up because of people getting up to my bumper. Seems like it’s no-win.

[Paleo Conservative]

Follow the link and look at this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfNATuw1DRs

[Sherman Logan]

Montana for quite a few years had an official speed limit of 55 outside cities.

If stopped driving a “safe speed” above that limit, the LEO collected an on-site “fine” of $5 and send you on your way. No points or record.

We called it the speeding fee.

[Eaker]

I commented on what speed would produce the maximum efficiency, not on whether that speed should become law.

My Maxima gets peak gas mileage at 70 NOT 45.

Try reading more carefully.

Try doing some research.

[wastedyears]

I can, but Sammy Hagar can’t.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CfNATuw1DRs

[JimSEA]

How could anyone forget the gas line!! I was in a car pool at the time and the driver for the week had to fill up the gas while the others chipped in to pay for it. The mine was only a few minutes drive away (15 miles) but hours were spent in the gas limes. On day shift, the driver had to get in line about 4:30 AM so we could make it to work by 7:00 AM.

Jimmy Carter, thanks for the memories!

[Cyber Liberty]

Between Phoenix and SoCal, pretty much everybody drives 85. The speed limit is 75.

[Gamecock]

***Warner told TIME his concern is for “the many millions and millions [of Americans] of limited means, sitting around their kitchen table trying to figure out how to make ends meet.***

Then tell them to drive 55 and stay in the right lane when they do it.

[386wt]

Montana for quite a few years had an official speed limit of 55 outside cities.

When I lived in Montana the speed limit was 55 at night because of open ranges. During the daytime it was, "reasonable and prudent" which often meant 90.

Driving from Reno to Great Falls the speed limit is currently 75. Has anyone calculated what an extra 4 hours at 55 would be in terms of gallons-per-hour?

[ChildOfThe60s]

The 55 mph “gas saving” business was another liberal myth. Another example of some pinhead setting up a computer model that just didn’t jive with the real world.

It didn’t lower gas consumption (gas isn’t “saved”, less is used). And it didn’t make highways safer. It did however, lower productivity of transportation. It did allow the feds to muscle in on the states in a new way. And it should have taught states a lesson about “free” money from the feds. It always comes with strings.

[Lady Jag]

My Jag gets peak gas mileage at 70 as well.

[RoadKingSE]

Warner should get back to drooling on his bib, crapping in his Grampers, and pulling his chubby while he dreams of Liz 35 years ago. Leave the real work to Senators, like Coburn or Sessions, with a spine.

[fella]

I drive 75 (limit is 65) on I-5 between Roseburg OR and Portland OR. I am usually almost run off the road with fully half the cars going 80 or more. I know, I am one of those irritating “older” drivers. However, can you imagine the chaos if a 55 limit is enforced. No thanks!!

But your not thinking about all the revenue that will be generated for all the small towns that are on your route. All those fine and bribes and kickbacks will really help those honest small town cops and justices of the Peace. Just think about that great movie "Nothing But Trouble".

[Eaker]

Designing a modern car that got its peak mileage at 45 would be stupid. We didn’t buy an econobox for a reason.

[wardaddy]

I didn’t drive 55 last time around....given the expanse of this nation it’s asinine.

Libs love it....they never go anywhere and if they do they drive like mice anyhow.

how libs drive reflects their neurosis...scared little pups clutching the wheel wanting it to be over

[AnotherUnixGeek]

We've already tried this particular bit of enviro-lunacy and it didn't work. That was why the double-nickel was repealed - a nonsensical law that is routinely violated by most people only encourages contempt and disregard for all laws in general.

I'd rather see some legislation prohibiting out-of-touch idiot Senators who spend their lives being chauffeured around from proposing laws which would make the daily commute even harder for Americans.

[Cold Heart]

Bingo!

[Mom MD]

Yes, but remember you could only wait in line to fill up if it was your odd/even day

[wardaddy]

it sure matters to those of us who have to drive long distances for business

i drive 75,000 miles a year on business

that’s over 9 weeks extra driving time annually

not to mention loss of productive business time to get things done

[Michael Barnes]

Same..I’m lucky if I get up to 55 anymore...

[Fury]

I drive 2-3 miles over the speed limit so 57-58. On the Interstate it’s 65.

When not on the Interstate, people *do* get ticked and ride my bumper when doing 57-58. They they take chances on double-yellow, hills, etc. Whatever.