Comments on: Should the Speed Limit Be Reduced to 55 mph Again?

By: anthony

anthony — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:33:18 +0000

i can get 30 mpg in my cadillac at 75 mph with the windows closed and no a/c and another day i got 28 mpg at 65 mph with the a/c on. i dont think anyone cares about 55 mph limits, they go 70-80 no matter what. the freeway that leads to my school is 50 mph, but people still manage to go 60-70 mph. the only people who really go 55 are old people driving mercury grand marquis with 2 hands at the top of the steering wheel. my brother goes no slower than 70, he goes around 62-67 mph. my average speed on the highway is 74 mph.

By: Eric Davis

Eric Davis — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 16:18:38 +0000

I had exactly the same experience on I-5 during a round trip from Sacramento to Los Angeles. By setting the cruise control to 60mph and not worrying about the anxious drivers behind me, I averaged 59mpg, an increase of over 15% for my vehicle.

Important note: at first I was a little concerned about possible road rage. Then I realized, if I was in a big truck they would have just passed without any anxiety.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:47:01 +0000

I’m with Randy on this one. I drive about 112 miles to work each day that I go into the office and I stick to 60-65 miles per hour on a highway with a 65 mph limit. The limit used to be 70 but it was lowered last year. I do get passed, but as long as I only get into the left lane to pass other people, no one rides my tail or throws their hands up at me.

I drive slower than the speed limit simply because I noticed that my Miles Per Gallon readout in my car did get lower when I drove faster. I went back to driving slower and my MPG increased enough that I took notice.

As long as you take the attitude that the left lane is for passing, most people really don’t care if you’re a slower driver.

By: Russ

Russ — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 12:49:19 +0000

Some of your readers obviously didn’t get past 8th grade algebra.
The government should adjust highway taxes to maintain the $4/gallon price and use the added tax revenues for transprtation infrastructure improvement. This would help the economy in many ways and keep the pressure on the auto industry to produce more fuel efficient products.

By: SaveForHouse

SaveForHouse — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:18:39 +0000

I have to agree with the first comment by brundy. If the 2% savings on gas consumption outweighs the time opportunity loss of the average American, we’re in pretty big trouble!!! I like to take the optimistic standpoint and have faith in the the hard working individual. Leave the speed limit alone, we are all already stretched for time. Time is more valuable than money in my opinion.

By: Brad C

Brad C — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:14:45 +0000

The idea of a 55 mpg National Maximum Speed Limit is as stupid today as it was back in 1974 with disco music, polyester clothing, inflation. It deserves to remain in the dustbin of history and as an example of dumb policy.

By: Kristian

Kristian — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:24:21 +0000

If we are passing laws to combat a national issue we should do something like make legislators and other government workers carpool.
Reduce the number of police sitting in idling cars, put ‘em on bikes where we can. Maybe we could tweek the regulations on oil companies, requiring them to stop the price-gouging.
If, on the other hand, what is being suggested is to pass laws to ‘assist’ individuals with their gas consumption. That is a really bad idea. Forcing people to do anything in the name of their own wellbeing is un-American.

By: K

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:41:15 +0000

I tried to drive the speed limit (65) on the highway coming home from the airport last week. Even in the far right (slow) lane of a 5 lane highway with light traffic I had cars riding my tail. I don’t think most American’s have received the message that driving more slowly can save gas $$.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:04:07 +0000

Yes, we should go back to 55 MPH as the highest speed limit; it never should have been raised to begin with.

I usually drive 60-ish on interstates, and no one seems to get to upset about it…

By: Wayne Foutz

Wayne Foutz — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:55:45 +0000

No one ever drove the speed limit when the 55 limit was in place before. All it meant was more ticket revenue for the police.

I am a trucker. My truck runs comfortable at 60-65 mph. At 55, I have my choice of either putting the transmission in 10th gear and have my engine lugging because it’s only spinning at 8000 rpms or placing it in 9th gear and running at 1400 rpms which is wasting fuel. I’m not running 55 and tearing up my truck.