Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
You know when I was a kid the speed limit on the interstate was 75mph but then the 70s gas crisis came along and it was lowered to 55 and stayed there for years. It saved a lot of gas. Why don't we go back to it now? It seems it would sure help out and save lives too. I have been driving lately at 60 [which seems to be the most efficient speed for my vehicle] and it is not that bad at all.
I don't think vehicles are nearly as ineffecient as they were in 70's. I think the double-nickel law was a gimmick more than anything else. I'll have to find some data showing any changes in mileage.
On my way back Virginia Beach this summer I got 35mpg in my Cavalier doing 75-80 most of the way. I don't see any reason to lower the speed limit, as the change in mileage will be minimal and people will need to drive longer, effectively using more gas in the process.
There's no shortage right now. If you can't afford gas, then drive slower or ride the bus. I can afford the $3.27 gallon, so I'll continue to drive 5mph over the limit. My time is worth more than the few bucks a fillup I'd be saving.
It would take me 2.6hrs driving at 75mph to go 200 miles, or 3.6hrs driving at 55mph to go the same 200 miles. So lets assume I get 20mpg going 75mph and 25mpg going 55mph. It takes me 10 gallons to go 200 miles at 75mph and 8 gallons going 55mph. So I saved 2 gallons of gas or around $7. To me, I would rather get to my destination 1 hour quicker than save the $7. If you are making $6/hr, then maybe going 55mph is for you. In my car, I don't think I'd save 5mpg going 20mph slower. Probably more like 3mpg.
Very nicely done.
Why not go back to 55? It was said most didn't comply with it and the states hated it and it didn't reduce the usage as much as they thought it would.
With the hills we have along the Front Range and west of it in Colorado, 55 would probably net you worse gas mileage.
I wouldn't recommend you going 55 when everybody else is going 70 or 75. The differential is dangerous. Gas is down to $2.87 per and falling. I'm thinking about taking Petro baths again! Yippee!
When cars came out, people may have feared what 50 and 60 miles an hour would be like..
100 years later...
Instead lets encourage ever the more improvement in automobiles and roadways and safe driver classes...so that one day, 150 mile an hour speed limits become the norm....hoo ray!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
