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Are we going back to 55mph National Speed Limit...
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| Are we going back to 55mph National Speed Limit...
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| artechba |
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080703...ner_speed_limit
An influential Republican senator suggested Thursday that Congress might want to consider reimposing a national speed limit to save gasoline and, in turn possibly ease fuel prices.
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Sen. John Warner, R-Va., 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 The speed limit was repealed in 1995 when crude oil dipped to $17 a barrel and gasoline cost $1.10 a gallon.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. |
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| mr wrong |
Quote: Originally posted by artechba
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080703...ner_speed_limit
An influential Republican senator suggested Thursday that Congress might want to consider reimposing a national speed limit to save gasoline and, in turn possibly ease fuel prices.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., 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 The speed limit was repealed in 1995 when crude oil dipped to $17 a barrel and gasoline cost $1.10 a gallon.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. |
Yeah. That'll lower pump prices. Sure it will.
:rolleyes: |
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| Mr. Hole |
| It really makes no sense for cars to even be able to go over the speed limit, more people die in cars than any other way but its allowed to contibue. |
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| jigzaw |
I'm in favor of this if only because of the lives saved, but 167000 barrels of oil less per day makes it a no-brainer in my opinion.
Driving around on these L.A. highways, though, I don't know if it'll even matter. I go about 70 to 75mph and fuckers are still whizzing by me right and left. It's actually dangerous NOT to speed out here because of all the lead-footed fuckers with somewhere they got to be. It's the fucking wild west on these highways.
Speaking of which, I'll have to drive a lot more now cause I just got a job on a major network t.v. show, so my showbiz career starts now muthafuckaz! |
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| assmasterson |
| If the limit is 55, people will still drive at least 15 over. |
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| Anakin S |
| I am all for it. I was for it when gas was $3.00 a gallon. It don't make no difference though people will always speed. |
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| Anogram |
Don't think it will happen. Especially in those states where it is flat land and the same scenery for miles and miles and miles and miles and ............
You have to go 80 through that shit. |
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| Abba |
I've been trying to keep my vehicle at around 55-60 for the past several months, and I have to admit that I'm squeezing an extra 60 miles or so out of a full tank, which is the equivalent of 12 bucks.
I've also noticed that ALOT of the trucks have been doing the same thing lately on the NJ Tpke. I've heard some truckers say that they're saving a few hundred dollars a week by driving a little bit slower, accelerating gentler, and generally keeping a light foot.
It adds up quick.
I don't know if I'm in favor of speed limits, though. Ideally, people would just get the hint and do it of their own accord. |
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| ihateralphiec |
I think my car goes from 38 mpg to 40 mpg if I go from 75 to 55 coasting on the highway. And my wives from 25 mpg to 26 mpg. I'm a nerd, I tracked this shit with the onboard computers. Anyone that drives an aerodynamic car with a transmission with overdrive isn't going to see the improvement they state in these articles. Big square SUV's, that is another story.
Fuck this proposal.
It doesn't save that many lives either. Driving like an asshole causes accidents. Driving 75 and leaving enough space in front of you is safer than driving 55 and not signaling for lane changes.
There are 100 other ways to meaningfully save more energy.
Glad to see people thinking about energy consumption, but I'd rather you all pass physics, chemistry, and math first before you start setting agendas. |
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| lojopgh |
Quote: Originally posted by Abba
I've been trying to keep my vehicle at around 55-60 for the past several months, and I have to admit that I'm squeezing an extra 60 miles or so out of a full tank, which is the equivalent of 12 bucks.
I've also noticed that ALOT of the trucks have been doing the same thing lately on the NJ Tpke. I've heard some truckers say that they're saving a few hundred dollars a week by driving a little bit slower, accelerating gentler, and generally keeping a light foot.
It adds up quick.
I don't know if I'm in favor of speed limits, though. Ideally, people would just get the hint and do it of their own accord. |
Many truck companies offer fuel bonuses if you conserve. The company I work for and many others have speed governors set at 58-62 mph. |
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| ihateralphiec |
Quote: Originally posted by lojopgh
Many truck companies offer fuel bonuses if you conserve. The company I work for and many others have speed governors set at 58-62 mph. |
I'm not for these laws for truckers either, even though they stand to save the most fuel.
But it was my job to haul freight, I sure as hell would drive in that speed range. Truckers are pissing fuel away at 75 mph.
Rail is already increasing business because it is more efficient. Truckers need to do what they can to still haul freight competitively. |
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| VacateTheWord |
Quote: Originally posted by jigzaw
I'm in favor of this if only because of the lives saved, but 167000 barrels of oil less per day makes it a no-brainer in my opinion.
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As I remember, accidents on the highways were more numerous when the speed limit was 55. It was when it was raised to 65, coupled with high fines for speeding, that accidents went down because they found that at 55 too many people weren't paying heed to the speed limit and the mix of those who were speeding and those who weren't created more accidents. |
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| Billyfromsphily |
Quote: Originally posted by VacateTheWord
As I remember, accidents on the highways were more numerous when the speed limit was 55. It was when it was raised to 65, coupled with high fines for speeding, that accidents went down because they found that at 55 too many people weren't paying heed to the speed limit and the mix of those who were speeding and those who weren't created more accidents. |
Do you have a source for this? |
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| thoroldjames |
Quote: Originally posted by assmasterson
If the limit is 55, people will still drive at least 15 over. |
install red light cameras, everywhere
ticket the living fuck out of people who can't behave
make automakers limit the top speed of new vehicles, put governors on those already on the road
if this is a crisis as big as we're led to believe it is then it requires sacrifices from us all.
we do want to rid ourselves of our dependency on mid-east oil, save the Earth and all don't we? |
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| Harleyb0y |
| there is plenty of oil....... speculators and comodities buyers are making the oil prices go up. thats were they are putting there money because the dollar is so week everywhere else. |
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| ihateralphiec |
Quote: Originally posted by VacateTheWord
As I remember, accidents on the highways were more numerous when the speed limit was 55. It was when it was raised to 65, coupled with high fines for speeding, that accidents went down because they found that at 55 too many people weren't paying heed to the speed limit and the mix of those who were speeding and those who weren't created more accidents. |
I think I read some article/report with that same basic idea.
The accidents/deaths per mile driven has gone down over the years, probably due to many factors. But during this same time speed limits have gone back up to 65 and 75 all over the country.
Again, if you drive something that looks like a block, this will help save gas, if you drive an aerodynamic car, not so much. |
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| NC-Stern-Mark |
Quote: Originally posted by ihateralphiec
I think my car goes from 38 mpg to 40 mpg if I go from 75 to 55 coasting on the highway. And my wives from 25 mpg to 26 mpg. I'm a nerd, I tracked this shit with the onboard computers. Anyone that drives an aerodynamic car with a transmission with overdrive isn't going to see the improvement they state in these articles. Big square SUV's, that is another story.
Fuck this proposal.
It doesn't save that many lives either. Driving like an asshole causes accidents. Driving 75 and leaving enough space in front of you is safer than driving 55 and not signaling for lane changes.
There are 100 other ways to meaningfully save more energy.
Glad to see people thinking about energy consumption, but I'd rather you all pass physics, chemistry, and math first before you start setting agendas. |
Plus one on all your points. Fuck the 55 limit. |
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| acefree |
Quote: Originally posted by NC-Stern-Mark
Plus one on all your points. Fuck the 55 limit. |
another republican trying to regulate me.
what happened to the smaller government ideal?
i guess thats jus a campaign slogan for dumb conservatives. |
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| acefree |
Quote: Originally posted by jigzaw
I'm in favor of this if only because of the lives saved, ! |
by that logic, u should propose the limit to be 25 MPH, clearly what would save even more |
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| Omnipotent_1 |
Quote: Originally posted by thoroldjames
install red light cameras, everywhere
ticket the living fuck out of people who can't behave
make automakers limit the top speed of new vehicles, put governors on those already on the road
if this is a crisis as big as we're led to believe it is then it requires sacrifices from us all.
we do want to rid ourselves of our dependency on mid-east oil, save the Earth and all don't we? |
This is America. Who are you to want to deprive people of the freedom to drive like complete assholes? |
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| DIMEBAG_RIP |
| NO-O-O-O Gawd I hope not! |
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| DIMEBAG_RIP |
Quote: Originally posted by acefree
another republican trying to regulate me.
what happened to the smaller government ideal?
i guess thats jus a campaign slogan for dumb conservatives. |
You got that right. It's not the same party anymore. |
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| Itsablister |
I don't feel we need a 55 MPH speed limit. All that I ask is that you respect those of us that do choose to drive 55.
The right lane is mine when I'm doing the speed limit or under. You have the left lane all to yourself and everybody else that feels the need to do 80.
My car gets 35 MPG at 55 MPH. That drops down to 26 MPG when I do 70. It's an aerodynamic, turbocharged German car that runs on premium fuel. 9 MPG makes a big difference at the pump at $4.41 per Gal.
The funny thing is when I do my daily commute on the PA turnpike these assholes will blow by me at 90 and I always end up catching them at the toll booth waiting in line while I breeze through with EZ pass.
For the most part the time you save by speeding is purely psycological. |
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| Colin Bowell |
| Cops don't enforce the 55 limit on the I-40 bypass through my city, I don't know why they'd enforce it if it were a national law. I'd say the average driver is going 75 in the 55 and I never see anyone get pulled over. Kinda pisses me off. I hate aggressive drivers who have to speed everywhere. |
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| IF 6 WAS 9 |
Quote: Originally posted by artechba
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080703...ner_speed_limit
An influential Republican senator suggested Thursday that Congress might want to consider reimposing a national speed limit to save gasoline and, in turn possibly ease fuel prices.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., 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. |
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| jigzaw |
Quote: Originally posted by acefree
by that logic, u should propose the limit to be 25 MPH, clearly what would save even more |
Calm down. |
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| Stonewall |
Quote: Originally posted by acefree
another republican trying to regulate me.
what happened to the smaller government ideal?
i guess thats jus a campaign slogan for dumb conservatives. |
Yes, it is a slogan these days.
I have been looking in the Constitution and have yet to find the exact power that Congress can use to create this speed limit.
Perhaps they will do what they did before, economic sanctions on States that do not conform to centralized control. |
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| ihateralphiec |
Quote: Originally posted by Itsablister
I don't feel we need a 55 MPH speed limit. All that I ask is that you respect those of us that do choose to drive 55.
The right lane is mine when I'm doing the speed limit or under. You have the left lane all to yourself and everybody else that feels the need to do 80.
My car gets 35 MPG at 55 MPH. That drops down to 26 MPG when I do 70. It's an aerodynamic, turbocharged German car that runs on premium fuel. 9 MPG makes a big difference at the pump at $4.41 per Gal.
The funny thing is when I do my daily commute on the PA turnpike these assholes will blow by me at 90 and I always end up catching them at the toll booth waiting in line while I breeze through with EZ pass.
For the most part the time you save by speeding is purely psycological. |
Wow, that's a huge difference! My bet is your turbo kicks in somewhere above 55 mph even while cruising and that sucks your mpg way down. Turbo charged engines are not so efficient when the turbocharger is actually working, you just get lots of power from lots of gas.
And I ask of all other hypermilers, please stay in the right lane as you say you do. I have seen plenty going 60 or less in the middle and left lanes lately. |
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