The call for 55 mph speed limit is increasing in volume.
Even with gas prices cresting above $4 a gallon, large SUVs, pickup trucks and even Toyota Priuses barrel down freeways here in suburban Detroit at more than 75 miles per hour — well beyond the 55 mph that was the national speed limit during the ’70s and ’80s.
If the U.S. Energy Department’s calculations are right, all these lead foots could save the equivalent of 29 cents to 94 cents a gallon if they slowed down just to 60 mph — and reduce the fuel they burn by about 7% to 23%. But most of my neighbors and I still choose to hit the gas rather than add 10 or 15 minutes to our commute times.
I don’t understand the “save the equivalent of …” statement. I’m assuming it’s related to getting better gas mileage, thus consuming less gas over the same distance? Moving on…
The politicians feel a need to act, and Republican John Warner from Virginia is keeping the ball rolling…
But now, a few politicians are daring to raise the “C” word — conservation — in public. Among them is Sen. John Warner (R., Va.), who last week sent an open letter asking the Energy secretary and the Government Accountability Office to study whether it’s time to drop the speed limits on the nation’s roads — again. He’s expecting an answer in time to raise the issue in the Senate before Congress breaks for the election in September.
So what’s next?
Nonetheless, Americans are changing and making new choices, even in the absence of clarion calls from Washington. Gasoline consumption during the Fourth of July weekend dropped 3.3% from a year earlier. Americans are driving less, driving smarter and, to the dismay of auto makers, driving smaller.
Washington now faces an uncomfortable choice: Stand back and let $4-a-gallon gasoline push Americans slowly and painfully toward a different lifestyle, or get off the bench and push.
So why do we need Washington to do something? Goodness gracious, the reason people don’t think for themselves is they are used to letting government think for them. This is a great time to stop that and let people think for themselves.
Do I speed? Sometimes. I also drive the speed limit many times and also put the car in neutral and coast when it’s feasible as well. I don’t get any “jollies” slowing people down in back of me that are in a hurry. Typically I’ll speed up to the customary 5 mph over the speed limit but not more than that. I also will try NOT to let my ego get become involved and pull over at a convenient time to let the impatient drivers through. I don’t feel morally superior by driving slow and saving gas.
One final remark, if they (the politicians, etc) are going to reinstate the 55 mph speed limit, they damn well better allow offshore drilling. Kudo’s to President Bush in trying to lead the way.
