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  #1  
Old 07-14-2008, 03:01 PM
bgkast's Avatar
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55 MPH speed limit to return?

My 240D will thank John Warner:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/5884083.html

Quote:
WASHINGTON — Is the double-nickel speed limit ready for a comeback?

Congress thus far has shown no movement toward resurrecting the 55-mph speed limit, but one of the Senate's senior members — Republican John Warner of Virginia — says it's time to start the conversation about an energy-saving national speed limit to help spare Americans from usurious fuel costs.

The 55-mph limit was imposed by federal law during the energy crisis of the mid-1970s, remained in effect for 20 years and ultimately was booted off the roadways by Congress in 1995 amid near-universal contempt among motorists.

Warner hasn't specified what a new limit should be, but he points out that Americans saved 167,000 barrels of petroleum a day when the 55-mph speed limit was in effect. He told fellow senators this week that he'll probably proceed with legislation after the Energy Department determines the most fuel-efficient speed limit for the nation's highways.


Support from truckers
"We have to take the lead in Congress, and hopefully the president will join," Warner said on the Senate floor.

Among those joining the call for a national speed limit are truckers, who've been hammered by diesel costs expected to reach $135 billion this year, $22 billion more than last year.

American Trucking Associations, which represents 3.5 million truck drivers and 37,000 companies, is asking Washington to set a national limit of 65 mph. A 10-mile reduction from 75 mph, spokesman Clayton Boyce said, would lower fuel consumption by 27 percent.

Since 55 was abolished as the national speed limit, states have been free to set their own. The limit in most states, according to the American Automobile Association, is 65 or 70, and several states allow 75. In desolate stretches of far West Texas, motorists are allowed to do 80.


Opposition from Cornyn
In Congress, the idea of reinstituting a national speed limit was below the radar for most lawmakers until Warner began endorsing it. Many lawmakers are likely to be unwilling to resurrect any variation of a highway rule widely condemned and ultimately ignored.

"It's not a real solution," said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., said the 55-mph limit "didn't work so well the last time," though he acknowledged that it would save fuel.

Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill., said drivers already were conserving by carpooling, limiting trips and slowing down.

"I do not believe that we need more government regulation in this arena," he said.

Other lawmakers say the concept merits consideration.

"I certainly think we should hear Senator Warner out and debate the issue and look at the facts," said Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill.

"If it will save lives and if it will reduce the amount of gasoline and diesel fuel that is used on the roads, then it is something that we certainly ought to take a look at."

Warner has asked the Energy Department to determine the most energy-saving speed — and the potential fuel savings — if a new national limit is imposed. If the study shows that a mandated speed limit will curb demand and fuel costs, Warner told senators, he'll probably introduce legislation and try to build bipartisan support.


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  #2  
Old 07-14-2008, 03:03 PM
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Last I saw, minimum speed was like 40 or 45 MPH on the interstate... Nothing forcing anyone to run higher. If the ones who want to run slower keep to the right, I have no problem.
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  #3  
Old 07-14-2008, 03:03 PM
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If they're doing 80 in 60 mph zones, do you think dropping the limit by 5 mph will slow them down any?
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  #4  
Old 07-14-2008, 03:06 PM
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All my highways are 55 or 65 already...........
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  #5  
Old 07-14-2008, 03:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Simpler=Better View Post
All my highways are 55 or 65 already...........
Same here in Illinois.

Around Chicago, it's 55 but everyone goes 70-80, and out on the open road, it's 65 and they tend to stay under 75.

I'm ok with doing 65. If they lowered it I'd still probably keep it around there.
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  #6  
Old 07-14-2008, 03:42 PM
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I would be in favor of letting those getting less than 20 mpg be restricted to 55 and those getting better to go 80.

Heck, those getting less than 20 mpg could be restricted to 35 for all I care. Hey, maybe at 35 they'd get 20 mpg!

Tom W
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  #7  
Old 07-14-2008, 04:08 PM
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I agree, restrict and tax the heck out of the guzzling SUV's....then see how many are left on the road. Except it will never happen, in this country of wasting as much as we can.........
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  #8  
Old 07-14-2008, 04:11 PM
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$12/gal will save fuel, not 55mph.
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  #9  
Old 07-14-2008, 04:36 PM
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IMHO, if the vehicle is paid for and you're getting over 15mpg you're doing okay. Buying a $14k Jetta that gets 50mpg costs more than driving my 25mpg Benz for the first 70k
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  #10  
Old 07-14-2008, 05:17 PM
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Funny that trucking associations are supporting a lower speed limit. I see them about to plow through the back of vehicles going the current speed limits.
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  #11  
Old 07-14-2008, 05:22 PM
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55 is getting close to the top speed of your 240d's, Jimmy. You should be happy.
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  #12  
Old 07-14-2008, 06:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pawoSD View Post
in this country of wasting as much as we can.........
We are a nation brought up to be consumers.
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  #13  
Old 07-14-2008, 06:15 PM
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This is what needs to be done, listen to the end of the video.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=p5mWEIq5ntA
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  #14  
Old 07-14-2008, 06:53 PM
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Having driven and ridden through the entire 20 years of the 55 MPH campaign, I can verify that it was almost never observed. Only twice, both times while actually under observation by law enforcement (I-5 in the San Joaquin Valley and I-70 east of Denver, both in the first year or two of the law, do I remember actually having to keep below 60.

There's certainly nothing wrong with slowing down all by ourselves, law or no, except that it may not be safe. In June of 2006 I drove from Winnemucca, NV to Santa Rosa, CA at a steady 65 MPH due to a car problem (the 85's axle boots had disintegrated). While that resulted in the best fuel economy ever for that trap cat-ridden car (26 MPG), it was a little disconcerting to look in the mirror and see nothing but "Peterbilt" (except it was backwards, of course). That was in an area where the speed limit was 75, dropping to 70 as you get closer to Reno, and 80 is the minimum if you want to feel even a little bit that you are "keeping up" with the flow of traffic.

So my guess is that 55 will not be re-instituted. Let the government spend its time (and our money) educating people on the benefits that slowing down can achieve by publicizing mileage figures for various real cars at "high" and "low" speeds.

Jeremy
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  #15  
Old 07-14-2008, 07:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TylerH860 View Post
55 is getting close to the top speed of your 240d's, Jimmy. You should be happy.
They would be perfectly happy cruising along at about 60mph. 65 is OK and comfortable enough, and 70 isn't just horrible, but the noise is starting to get up there. 75 to 80 and Captain Sulu is going to yell, "Well fly her apart then!!!"

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