WASHINGTON (AP) -- An influential Republican senator suggested Thursday that Congress might want to consider reimposing a national speed limit to save gasoline and possibly ease fuel prices.
Sen. John Warner has asked the Energy Department at what speeds vehicles would be most fuel efficient.
Sen. John Warner, R-Virginia, asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to look into what speed limit would provide optimum gasoline efficiency given current technology. He said he wants to know if the administration might support efforts in Congress to require a lower speed limit.
Congress in 1974 set a national 55 mph speed limit because of energy shortages caused by the Arab oil embargo. The speed limit was repealed in 1995 when crude oil dipped to $17 a barrel and gasoline cost $1.10 a gallon.
As motorists headed on trips for this Fourth of July weekend, gasoline averaged $4.10 a gallon nationwide, with oil hovering around $145 a barrel.
Warner cited studies that showed the 55 mph speed limit saved 167,000 barrels of oil a day, or 2 percent of the country's highway fuel consumption, while avoiding up to 4,000 traffic deaths a year.
"Given the significant increase in the number of vehicles on America's highway system from 1974 to 2008, one could assume that the amount of fuel that could be conserved today is far greater," Warner wrote Bodman.
Warner asked the department to determine at what speeds vehicles would be most fuel efficient, how much fuel savings would be achieved, and whether it would be reasonable to assume there would be a reduction in prices at the pump if the speed limit were lowered.
Energy Department spokeswoman Angela Hill said the department will review Warner's letter but added, "If Congress is serious about addressing gasoline prices, they must take action on expanding domestic oil and natural gas production."
The department's Web site says that fuel efficiency decreases rapidly when traveling faster than 60 mph. Every additional 5 mph over that threshold is estimated to cost motorists "essentially an additional 30 cents per gallon in fuel costs," Warner said in his letter, citing the DOE data.
I dont have time to go 55. People can choose to drive that slow now if they want. They will get flipped off or possibly run off the road for doing it, but still they have the choice.
I dont have time to go 55. People can choose to drive that slow now if they want. They will get flipped off or possibly run off the road for doing it, but still they have the choice.
Would love to see you try to run me off the road with your Neon.
lets say you drive an average of 10,000 miles per year. and lets just say for simplicity, you're on the highway an average of 50% of that time.
5k miles @ 55mph = 90.9 hrs
5k miles @ 65mph = 76 hrs
5k miles @ 75mph = 66.7 hrs
so at 75 versus 55, you save ~ 23 hours. you get an entire additional day of living, not driving, by going 75. what's harder to come by, gas or time? you can buy more gas, but you can't buy more time.
taking it even further, i get 34 mpg at 65, and 31 at 75. so...
5k miles @ 34 mpg = 147 gallons
5k miles % 31 mpg = 161 gallons
never tested mileage at 55, but basically you gain 10 hours of your life back per year by going 75 instead of 65, at an additional cost of 1 more tank of gas, so at say, 5 bucks a gallon, about 60 bucks. so you gain more of your life, every year, at an additional cost of ~ $6 dollars an hour. worth it?
taking it even further, i get 34 mpg at 65, and 31 at 75. so...
5k miles @ 34 mpg = 147 gallons
5k miles % 31 mpg = 161 gallons
never tested mileage at 55, but basically you gain 10 hours of your life back per year by going 75 instead of 65, at an additional cost of 1 more tank of gas, so at say, 5 bucks a gallon, about 60 bucks. so you gain more of your life, every year, at an additional cost of ~ $6 dollars an hour. worth it?
I've been looking at it this way for a long time now. Time is money and I could give a fuck how much gas I waste on the way there. Most of the time I'm having fun anyhow, so it's more like a hobby than just driving, which for me helps justify the cost.
__________________
2005 SRT-4 w/33,000 miles for sale. $15k obo PM me for details.
"Orlando's SRT whore-house garage"
What do you want installed/tuned/ported/welded? PM me for pricing.
Would love to see you try to run me off the road with your Neon.
I have a 87 burban I can try with. Last time on the scales we broke 7000 lbs (full load with "stuff" in the back). This is the 1 ton, 4x4, with the HD package that seats 9 and rear AC. Its a beast that makes even the big rigs scared when I brake check them.
I've been looking at it this way for a long time now. Time is money and I could give a fuck how much gas I waste on the way there. Most of the time I'm having fun anyhow, so it's more like a hobby than just driving, which for me helps justify the cost.
Hence why we have a "performance car". If I wanted to get some of my "life back" I would plan better. I like to drive my car and if I did a lot of commuting.... I would get a commuter car, duh.
RSF that "duh" was not directed at you. I forgot to multi quote.
Last edited by ptperformance : 07-04-2008 at 11:56 AM.
I have a 87 burban I can try with. Last time on the scales we broke 7000 lbs (full load with "stuff" in the back). This is the 1 ton, 4x4, with the HD package that seats 9 and rear AC. Its a beast that makes even the big rigs scared when I brake check them.
You have 2K in weight on me in the Durango but you'd need to catch me first...I believe the Durango is quicker.
You have 2K in weight on me in the Durango but you'd need to catch me first...I believe the Durango is quicker.
Thats why I have a 100 shot on the burban, it really gets up and moves with that in there. I did it just for that and getting onto the freeway, there are times when the ole 350 just doen't have the umph to get me out there fast enough.
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
National speed limit pushed as gas saver
"Scoff not at my vile remarks horny fiend" 
Linear Mode
