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)