National Speed Limit!!
 

I was watching the news, when a banner ran across the screen indicating Senator Warner from VA., will be sponsoring a bill to reinstitute the national speed limit of 55 mph to save gas!

I did not realize we had a shortage...in any event if you, like me, think this is a bad idea, write/call your Senator ASAP, and voice your opinion.

If people want to save gas, let them slow down as some folks out here in "fly over country" are already doing. Otherwise leave it alone. We all know 55 is nothing more then a revenue generator.

Mods: If I placed this in the wrong area, please move. Thanks.

It would save gas, sure. Would it lower gas prices? No. There is adaquate fuel supply, that is not what is driving up prices. I have never seen a gas station close because they ran out of gas...that would be a shortage.

55 mph might have been efficient for older cars but newer cars can run faster and still be efficient. On average cars begin to lose MPG's around 70-75 mph.

Why 55, why not 30! I've got an idea why don't we all just put our mouths on a tailpipe and suck. OMG Washington sucks! Hey FBI did you get that, yeah Washington sucks!

Hell they did that in the 70s and 80s................... didn' work because back ups which waste more gas........... sitting in backups and not moving waste gas:banghead:


State troopers in Maryland use to do rovering roadblocks........ making sure everyone did 55........... saving gas...... not!

this is such bs, like SuperSugeKnight said, newer cars arent much less efficient at interstate speeds. this crap has gone to far, there is not a shortage, just a bunch of greedy oil billionaires. if he really wants to make a difference he should put up a bill that will increase the number of E85 vehicles within the next year, as well as the number of e85 gas stations

+1 on revenue generators
 

They should kick this Warner guy in the bait and tackle....55 sucked then...and it would suck now!

I hate the idea of going back to the 55 limit, but it is true that lower speeds increase fuel economy. The peak efficiency is 40-55 mph, with anything over that and aerodynamics (especially against our brick shaped S197's and every SUV and truck out there) take a bite out of fuel economy - fact!

I'm a true believer in letting rational adults decide how fast they should be driving with no need for any speed limits anywhere, but if our national security ultimately depends on reducing gas consumption, then I can understand how lower highway speed limits could help. I still don't want a 55 limit, and would likely exceed it regularly and blatently, but I understand the concept none-the-less.

I would do it for national security, but there are other things that should be done first that will never be done. Democrats and tree huggers won't let us do what we need to do for national security, so instead we have to drive slower and not really solve anything just prolong the pain.

EDIT

Woohoo 1,000th post. Not bad for a Mustang lurker turned post whore. Lets see it took 273 days, I'm averaging 3.67 per day, it'll take me only about 7.32 years to catch Arin if he never posts again.

id love to see no speed limits, but the interstates cant handle it, they're in pretty rough shape now, the autobahn is twice as thick, and kept in immaculate condition. if you hit an uneven patch at 150, youre pretty well screwed

there lies the problem if they didn't set a speed limit & someone got hurt because they are too cheap to build a road right to begin with you all sue their arse off, I guess thuss a speed limit

I live in vancouver where there are bridges with 70km/h speed limits and highways with 80km/h speed limits. How lame is that?

Oh and dont be ashamed about being a post whore, im currently in the process of turningin myself into one:)

and when your on those bridges hows about the width of the lanes huh that's a scary undertaking at best of times always scares me when I'm over there.

nice avatar mr kent! I love the Cali dream hood :drool:

Dont think 55 would do much of anything to save fuel today. Back in the 70's/80's it MAYBE made sense because the norm at the time was either a 3 speed auto or 4 speed manual. Today, 4 (or more) speed auto's and 5 (or more) speed manual transmissions are the norm. Dont think you can find much of anything today that doesnt have an OD of some sort.

In my mind - going back to 55 is a waste of time and money. An opportunity for some sign companies to make some quick revenue from government need for 55 MPH signs :)

These sorts of things have nothing to do with reality. They're a "feel good" tactic. It's like telling people that if they elect you, you'll lower taxes. The problem is not the amount spent on taxes. Same as the problem not being the speed at which people drive.

If you don't engage your brain, these sorts of things look awesome. If you do, they look bloody retarded. Problem is most voters have forgotten how to engage their B gear...and that's what pollys love.