Unmentioned Energy Fix: A 55 M.P.H. Speed Limit

The New York Times ^ | May 1, 2005 | Jad Mouawad and Simon Romero

[MississippiMasterpiece]

Speed limits curb fuel consumption. Is that President Bush's answer?

[brivette]

Hogwash

[Semper Paratus]

"That '70s show"

[cripplecreek]

Speed doesn't have anything to do with mileage. My truck has an overdrive gear for a reason.

[jocon307]

This idea might be worth listening to, but who can listen to people who hold the American public in such comtempt?

[martin_fierro]

Of course, energy eventually became cheap again, the economy expanded and Americans became complacent and unwilling to make more sacrifices.

This is an editorial, right?

[Mr. K]

The NEW YORK TIMES shows its liberal idiocy again.

[kellynla]

One foot on the brake and one on the gas, hey!
Well, there's too much traffic, I can't pass, no!
So I tried my best illegal move
Well, baby, black and white come and touched my groove again!
Gonna write me up a 125
Post my face wanted dead or alive
Take my license, all that jive
I can't drive 55!

Sammy Hagar

[John Jorsett]

While oil consumption in most industrialized nations has either leveled off or declined, in the United States, oil demand has soared 38 percent since the first oil shock of 1973.

Well, the French get 80% of their electrical energy from nuclear plants. How about we try some of THAT, hmmm?

[Tijeras_Slim]

Great a bunch of elitist subway riders figuring out how everyone else should drive.

[RightFighter]

I'm sure that each car has a "sweet spot" where they mileage is maximized at a certain speed, but to argue that it's 55 MPH for every car is ridiculous. Maybe those sweet spots should be identified for each vehicle.

[DTogo]

That comes from higher diesel use and higher taxes. In France and Germany, a gallon of gasoline sells for as much as $6, with taxes accounting for about 80 percent of that. Few politicians in America might risk ridicule or rejection by explicitly supporting higher taxes on gasoline, one of the surest ways to limit the nation's dependence on oil.

What a load of crap! And should we also adopt France and Germany's double-digit unemployment rates?

Smaller efforts today could make a difference. For example, driving at 10 miles an hour above the 65 miles-per-hour limit increases fuel consumption by 15 percent; inflating tires properly cuts gasoline use by 2 percent; keeping engines idle while in line wastes millions of gallons.

El Rushbo was joking about this last week, saying that if he followed all the Liberals' ideas of how to improve fuel efficiency, 10% by driving 55, another 10% by keeping his tires properly inflated, etc., he'd end up having to empty the excess fuel coming out of his tank.

[Paladin2]

Why not make the speed limit Zero?

If some is good, more is better.

Buy a turbo diesel. Eschew Automatic Transmissions (in fact make ownership of such illegal).

[Racer1]

Most roads here in PA are 55mph (only the major turnpikes are 65). But I will say my car gets the same or better mileage at 65mph. Its a small car though. The problem is people started buying gas hog SUVs. Now thats ok if you use them wisely, but many use them even for casual driving. I own a full size pick-up, but I only use it as needed.

[SLB]

Mileage in my suburbans only varies a slight amount between 55 and 65. I think 55 mph would be "feel good" solution. Besides, it would then add almost a full day to my trips to see my mom in Wyoming.

[Paladin2]

Generally around the speed where the car is first able to run in "high gear".

[demlosers]

Hell no NY Slimes.

[EricT.]

No thank you. I'll pay up to $3 per gallon to continue driving like I want to get somewhere.

[Sooth2222]

YEAH!

Let's bring back Jimmy Carter's energy policies.!

They worked sooooo well!

//sarcasm

NYMEX wholesale gasoline for May delivery closed at $1.475/gal on Friday.

Most of the rest is TAXES!