SUV drivers should be subject to National Speed Limit! (sedans, fuel, braking)

[58robbo]

these days everyone seems to be lobbying for some sort of government intervention in everything from oil speculators to fannie mae shareholders to cafe standards etc.
i am not a big fan of regulations and laws but very few people seem to be concerned about "big brother" so while every useless proposal is on the table maybe it's time for one which would actually make a difference:

all vehicles(truck, semis, suv's, sedans) of a certain weight should be subject to a national speed limit. there are 2 spinoffs here. the heaviest cars are (in most cases, not every case) to a larger degree responsible for our oil addiction and by them driving slower we could significantly reduce demand.
the second reason is to protect drivers in smaller cars. there are many people out there who would be more than happy to drive a corolla over an excursion. the problem is that many feel less safe and end up buying the gas guzzler therefore creating a vicious circle!

[cdelena]

Why? Drivers paid for their fuel and the tax on it... they should get to burn it just like anyone else.

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by cdelena

Why? Drivers paid for their fuel and the tax on it... they should get to burn it just like anyone else.

they are a danger to people who chose to drive smaller cars. most heavy vehicles especially suv's and trucks have very poor braking performance and their ability to swerve at speed without rolling is questionable!

in case you haven't noticed we as a country are being held ransom by oil producers and seriously need to curb our consumption!

[2beamissourian]

OMG that is rediculous!!

My suburban sits in my drive way not going anywhere these days .

To impose on my FREEDOM is the hyp of stupidity!

Driving limits I have a speed limit in place in front of my daycare ........ and i can tell u what cars do not obey it ..its those little teens in sports cars!

Your window seems to be blocking the whole view!

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by 2beamissourian

OMG that is rediculous!!

My suburban sits in my drive way not going anywhere these days .

To impose on my FREEDOM is the hyp of stupidity!

Driving limits I have a speed limit in place in front of my daycare ........ and i can tell u what cars do not obey it ..its those little teens in sports cars!

Your window seems to be blocking the whole view!

what's rediculous [sic] the speed limit? the fact that these leviathans are a danger to those driving smaller vehicles? the fact that the elevated bohemoths can't swerve without rolling? the fact that the heavier the car the worse the braking performance(in most cases)?

at some point we're going to have to address our addiction. the 55mph national limit was used during the embargo and has been touted by some as a solution. why not punish the main culprits first?

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by 58robbo

they are a danger to people who chose to drive smaller cars. most heavy vehicles especially suv's and trucks have very poor braking performance and their ability to swerve at speed without rolling is questionable!

in case you haven't noticed we as a country are being held ransom by oil producers and seriously need to curb our consumption!

If we can affect the situation by altering our consumption....how is it that the oil producers are holding us ransom? Seems to me that we have kicked ourselves in the nether region with our consumption.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by cdelena

Why? Drivers paid for their fuel and the tax on it... they should get to burn it just like anyone else.

Yep, consumption based tax seems pretty fair to me. - rep point for you.
This plan also ignores the guy that gets 20mpg but lives 4miles from work but it's ok to have an 80mile one-way commute if you get 27mpg?

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

If we can affect the situation by altering our consumption....how is it that the oil producers are holding us ransom? Seems to me that we have kicked ourselves in the nether region with our consumption.

the "will they, won't they up production" scenario!
there is also the "get the president to do a little dance for oil" embarrassment!

i do agree though, it was all of our own doing!

[58robbo]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

Yep, consumption based tax seems pretty fair to me. - rep point for you.
This plan also ignores the guy that gets 20mpg but lives 4miles from work but it's ok to have an 80mile one-way commute if you get 27mpg?

the problem is that people who are thinking of getting a smaller car are put off by the presence of these speeding monstrosities!

[8 SNAKE]

Originally Posted by 58robbo

the problem is that people who are thinking of getting a smaller car are put off by the presence of these speeding monstrosities!

Do you have any stats to back up these wild assumptions of yours?? I don't know a single person who drives an SUV out of fear, and I know a lot of SUV drivers.