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National speed limit pushed as gas saver Friday, July 04, 2008
CNN Politics -- 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, 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 The speed limit was repealed in 1995 when crude oil dipped to $17 a barrel and gasoline cost $1.10 a gallon.
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	Friday, July 04, 2008 CNN Politics -- 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, 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 The speed limit was repealed in 1995 when crude oil dipped to $17 a barrel and gasoline cost $1.10 a gallon. Visit CNN Politics for full article

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rumbleseat Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:11,861 Points:2,025,175 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: 7/8/2008 3:25:49 AM	Ignore rumbleseat Report Abuse
	FrankiTX, you perpetuate another myth. Germany does have speed limits. The whole Autobahn has a "suggested" speed limit of 130 km/hr. much of the Autobahn does not have an official limit, but you get ticketed big-time if caught driving a speed considered unsafe for weather and traffic conditions. Sections of the Autobahn, 43% of the system, do have official speed limits, and they have just finished putting speed limits on more of the Autobahn over the last while. They are also considering putting limits on the whole system, as many drivers are ignoring requests to slow down. A 2005 study by the German Federal Interior Ministry (Bundesministerium des Innern) indicated that Autobahn sections with unrestricted speed have the SAME accident record as sections with speed limits. German state adopts Autobahn speed limit [Edited by: rumbleseat at 7/8/2008 3:29:14 AM EST]
corgone Sophomore Author Florida Posts:159 Points:21,865 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/7/2008 5:56:48 PM	Ignore corgone Report Abuse
	Just one more thing..=) Hey! Can you believe it $17 a barrel in 1995 and not more than 14 yrs later and we've more than quadrupled the price. There's some inflation for ya!=~)
corgone Sophomore Author Florida Posts:159 Points:21,865 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/7/2008 5:53:35 PM	Ignore corgone Report Abuse
	I have to admit my car hit its potential somewhere between 69 and73. That's it. However, i wonder how much time Senator Warner actually spends driving on the Hwy. Not all cars are the same when it comes to milage.... I do agree with the afore mentioned ideas about how the Europeans have progressed with their laws on limits. Interesting.
FrankieTX Rookie Author Texas Posts:1 Points:145 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 7/7/2008 3:26:50 AM	Ignore FrankieTX Report Abuse
	It is a shame, that everybody is only looking at speed limits - not looking at the facts. Proven in a lot of studies, lowering the limit does not do anything to save fuel but makes roads more unsafe. Europe is a good example on how you make fuel efficient cars because you do NOT have a low speed limit (or one at all as in Germany). If the US wouldn't have introduced the speed limit in 1974, they would have competitive non gas guzzling cars now instead of everybody turning to japanese or european cars.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,460 Points:147,200 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 7/6/2008 12:44:13 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	mine use more fuel after the engine is started
Gee_NY Sophomore Author Texas Posts:125 Points:187,595 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: 7/6/2008 9:34:46 AM	Ignore Gee_NY Report Abuse
	Ditto "Coolrunning" I have a 1988 Toyota Celica that actually got better gas mileage @ 85 mph than it did @ 55/65 mph.
Coolrunning Veteran Author El Paso Posts:358 Points:50,265 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 7/6/2008 5:18:05 AM	Ignore Coolrunning Report Abuse
	Pathetic! The 55 mph "national speed limit" saved nothing, cost millions of dollars in signage and wasted time, killed thousands of American drivers who fell asleep at the wheel and made the USA the laughing stock of the world. Europe has never had such restrictions. They simply increase the efficiency of the cars with better engineering, designs and have been able to get nearly 50 mpg from DIESEL engines. Politics are useless.
blazerbob91 All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:766 Points:319,055 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 7:59:45 PM	Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse
	The feds are fools.
RayRatt Veteran Author Washington Posts:460 Points:250,605 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 12:13:46 PM	Ignore RayRatt Report Abuse
	WonderfulMI is one of the few sensible people on this thread. I fail to understand why (s)he keeps writing such logical and factual postings when this audience obviously ignores it all. Nobody even seems willing to try to point out any errors (if, indeed, there are any). What a shame that almost everyone on this site is so blind they fail to see high fuel prices are not going away, that oil supplies are not going to magically increase, that additional drilling is, at best, a short term fix (that will take a decade to implement), and that the devalued U.S. dollar is the biggest reason our gas prices have doubled (while prices in Europe are about the same they were two years ago). Why is it so many people demand somebody fix things but they are unwilling to do anything themselves - something as simple as slowing down? It may only result in a 10% increase in mileage, but it is a start. The only other thing we, as individuals, can do is cut back on our driving (car pooling, etc.) and replace our gas guzzlers with more fuel efficient vehicles. Most of us burn the majority of our fuel getting to work and back. And, those miles are typically in stop-and-go traffic. If we stopped driving our 4x4 pickups and SUV's to work, then we could skip implementing the lower 55 mph speed limits. But, if we are unwilling to drive more fuel efficient vehicles or car pool, we really don't leave Congress much choice - they can't pass a law telling you what to drive, but they sure can tell us how fast you can drive it. Think about it - this problem is not as simple as most of you want to pretend. We all need to do whatever we can. For now, driving slower will help. [Edited by: RayRatt at 7/5/2008 12:16:24 PM EST]
mrkel Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,333 Points:724,230 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:52:07 AM	Ignore mrkel Report Abuse
	We should have been working harder on alternatives since the 1970's but instead we have been ignoring the fact that we are so oil-dependent that we have very little choice other than to pay the higher prices now. The incentives are there now for the businesses to come thru with the new ideas that will move us away from the pain of paying these higher prices. Let's use our American ingenuity to work on permanent solutions rather than trying to regulate a temporary fix that does nothing to fix the main problem.
MCM34 Sophomore Author Michigan Posts:218 Points:321,685 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:24:49 AM	Ignore MCM34 Report Abuse
	Slowing down does help. In 2007 my average was 30.13 MPG and for the most part I was at the speed limit. 2008 so far it is 31.49 as I have backed off about 5 miles an hour on local roads and 10 on freeways when traffic permits me to drive at that speed. That gives me an increase of 1.36 MPG so far this year or about 4.5% increase in MPG. I have noticed more people have slowed down and if we all slowed down only 5 MPH we could save a lot of gas. My info comes from the Fuel logbook and if you are not using it it is worth a try, I think it is the best for monitoring this type of information.
Lija Sophomore Author Tampa Posts:187 Points:29,520 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:24:04 AM	Ignore Lija Report Abuse
	People would get speeding tickets cuz everyone's in such a hurry nowadays. The younger drivers have always been able to drive almost as fast as they want to. They don't remember how it was before the 70s, when highways weren't as available as they are now. What's so wrong with leaving the house earlier so you dn't HAVE to rush to get there? We all need to do whatever we can to help, no matter how small the effort. Even the small things, when multiplied by millions, CAN make a difference. It's all in your state of mind.
guarddog Rookie Author Illinois Posts:48 Points:851,825 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:21:34 AM	Ignore guarddog Report Abuse
	every time there's a problem its, lets punish the consumer. why not the speculator?
colefolk Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,614 Points:267,290 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:15:19 AM	Ignore colefolk Report Abuse
	It would be a facade to lower speed limits and not find alternative fuel sources.
EarlyMoose Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,495 Points:620,690 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:14:12 AM	Ignore EarlyMoose Report Abuse
	Let's just take everyone's freedom away, CrazyQ.
CrazyQ Champion Author Washington Posts:11,857 Points:1,370,625 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:11:52 AM	Ignore CrazyQ Report Abuse
	Get serious about this. Let's tax everyone who drives more than 4,000 miles a year. Maybe an extra $1,200. If they drive more than 8,000 miles a year, quadruple the tax, make it $5,000. If they want to drive more than 12,000 miles a year, confiscate their car. Think of all the benefits: vastly reduced CO2; gas consumption way down, including tank prices; huge revenue increase for Congress to spend. Bring back horses!
matman01 Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,817 Points:302,880 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:04:13 AM	Ignore matman01 Report Abuse
	Michigan's governor is pushing for this idea....I hope that it fails. It would just be a revenue raiser for the STates as they'd be writing tickets left and right.
Masercal Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,046 Points:252,760 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:03:15 AM	Ignore Masercal Report Abuse
	Only a part of the solution. Renewable energy must be the major part of the solution.
Bigbearliving Sophomore Author Los Angeles Posts:245 Points:53,255 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:02:19 AM	Ignore Bigbearliving Report Abuse
	Welcome to America.Were the people have absolutly no say and have to do whatever the government says.YEA RIGHT FREE COUNTRY ITS ALL SMOKE AND MIRRIORS.We will always get missinformation from our government and media sources.This way they keep us thinking about useless B.S. Mean while they just keep gasping more power over the people.We just celebrated the 4th for what?Were is our independence?Like I said most Americans have their blinders on.Horay for the U.S.A.the monster war machine.
Wolfwings All-Star Author Delaware Posts:545 Points:198,235 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:00:27 AM	Ignore Wolfwings Report Abuse
	It didn't work the last time. If we do not learn from history, we are bound to make the same mistakes again and again.
Zacchaeus Rookie Author Missouri Posts:88 Points:970,910 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 11:00:07 AM	Ignore Zacchaeus Report Abuse
	This will help, ask I have posted for over two months. Every little bit helps. A buck here, a buck there and beforelong your talking real savings. Think about it ......
Greatace Veteran Author Tampa Posts:330 Points:271,155 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:59:59 AM	Ignore Greatace Report Abuse
	That is so true n3his
rustyOR Veteran Author Oregon Posts:484 Points:106,700 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:58:28 AM	Ignore rustyOR Report Abuse
	This is not the answer.
WonderfulMI All-Star Author Michigan Posts:916 Points:72,895 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:54:59 AM	Ignore WonderfulMI Report Abuse
	Gripe, gripe, gripe!! Some of you indicate that you are violating the existing law, will violate any law that you want, and STILL want the government to "DO SOMETHING" for you. You can do something RIGHT NOW! Obey the law. It will save you gasoline and probably save your life, and the lives of others. And you can do that yourself, RIGHT NOW.
nd73 Veteran Author Grand Rapids Posts:338 Points:214,395 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:50:12 AM	Ignore nd73 Report Abuse
	Well, let's not stop there. Let's legislate that you can only drive a max. of 100 miles a day. And every 10th person has to give up their car and use public transportation. After all, we are doing this for the nation's good! These are not actions of a free land! This is socialism, and there are plenty of socialists in Congress who would love to get the ball rolling (including 2 Democrats who were recently vying to be a candidate for the Presidency!). Are you sure you want to start down this road????
n3his Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,477 Points:827,260 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:47:25 AM	Ignore n3his Report Abuse
	Who will abide by it? Some will and some will not.
dopster Veteran Author Toledo Posts:374 Points:807,805 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:45:58 AM	Ignore dopster Report Abuse
	Slowing down DOES work for most cars. It's simple physics with the coefficent of increased drag. Maybe some cars are more efficient at higher speeds, but not most. We don't have a divine right to waste energy. Driving is a privilage, not a right.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:4,422 Points:984,900 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:44:20 AM	Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse
	"I'm from the government and I'm here to help you."
oncotime Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:8,831 Points:1,566,495 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:44:06 AM	Ignore oncotime Report Abuse
	too time consuming. time is money
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,571 Points:921,070 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:43:23 AM	Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse
	FORWARD to the 1970's!!!
acrider54 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:10,292 Points:1,796,830 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:40:49 AM	Ignore acrider54 Report Abuse
	Good way fro governement to raise revenue! Fine you for speeding.
babstude Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,498 Points:31,240 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:40:19 AM	Ignore babstude Report Abuse
	somebody below said "a death blow to truckers" that's good !! get the bulk of freight back on the rails where it belongs, safer and FAR more fuel efficient way to transport
cobey24 Rookie Author New York Posts:5 Points:8,450 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:39:02 AM	Ignore cobey24 Report Abuse
	Another idea that wont help much! Public officials need to stop putting band-aids on wounds that need stitches!
ryakin Rookie Author Delaware Posts:7 Points:1,240 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:34:17 AM	Ignore ryakin Report Abuse
	Sigh, drop the speed limit,.....come on, people aren't going to listen to it, and guess what that means more tickets, and that means more money for the state, and/or government. To top it off my car gets better gas mileage at 75 than it does at 55.
RWPTraveller Veteran Author Virginia Posts:480 Points:293,250 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:33:46 AM	Ignore RWPTraveller Report Abuse
	It was a bad idea in 1974 and it's still a bad idea. Congress should spend time developing an energy policy that promotes alternative energy sources and promotes domestic oil production by eliminating or modifying the restrictions on off-shore drilling.
broken80530 Sophomore Author Denver Posts:247 Points:48,670 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:31:40 AM	Ignore broken80530 Report Abuse
	I dropped my speed from 75 to 65 in my old 99 Saturn and went from 32 to 35 mpg. It saves me a little fuel but if you slowed my friends I commute with on I-25 from the 75 or 85 they are traveling down to 65 it would save a lot. But my feeling is all they want to do is gripe about gas prices. There is no price to great to travel in the hammer lane as fast as you can go until you come up on the car in front of you then you cuss them flash your lights and cross 3 lanes of traffic so you are not slowed down. Maybe they should drink decaf coffee and watch less NASCAR! No additude here! LOL
waltjax All-Star Author Illinois Posts:585 Points:811,985 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:28:55 AM	Ignore waltjax Report Abuse
	I think we should begin drilling into the Senator's empty head!
lovelakota Rookie Author Detroit Posts:76 Points:176,385 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:28:51 AM	Ignore lovelakota Report Abuse
	I would support it, and not just for gasoline conservation. It's safer.
LittleBlueCarNY Veteran Author Albany Posts:265 Points:90,185 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:28:35 AM	Ignore LittleBlueCarNY Report Abuse
	If this is the best they can do, we should vote every one of these jerks out and start over. Their policy of only acting to make life more difficult for the public needs to stop.
4819244 Champion Author Orlando Posts:13,830 Points:2,522,715 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:25:24 AM	Ignore 4819244 Report Abuse
	stupid
deanjk Veteran Author Arkansas Posts:286 Points:82,935 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:25:08 AM	Ignore deanjk Report Abuse
	The government should be kicking the crap out of the oil speculators, not making more laws binding us.
cudatim All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:572 Points:313,775 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:23:23 AM	Ignore cudatim Report Abuse
	Come on now, why don't they look are real long tern solutions instead of just making people mad.
cableman31 Veteran Author New York Posts:317 Points:339,910 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:22:02 AM	Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse
	Let congress stop the runaway prices instead of making us change our ways the suit others. Stop pussyfooting around, sell your damn oil stocks and get a grip on the runaway oil industry. The next thing we will hear is that the oil industry is too big. We can't tell them what to do. The industry has this country by the throat and just keeps squeezing, and our wonderful elected officials tell us to slow down. That's some Ba--s. Ross Peroit made one very true statement. If you remember, he said "Remember in November". But then again, just look at the publics smarts. They ,not me, elected the bigest BOOB in the world twice. We don't have much choice this time around, but a vote for McCain is a vote for BUSH and more of the same.
leolisa Champion Author New York Posts:3,915 Points:713,030 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:21:20 AM	Ignore leolisa Report Abuse
	get those drills out
pinkelefant Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:8,604 Points:1,023,395 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:19:24 AM	Ignore pinkelefant Report Abuse
	Who do you think will do a new version?
laddyboy62 Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,125 Points:904,310 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:17:14 AM	Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
	just drill already..enough with the quick fixes...
weenerdog Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,159 Points:212,885 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:13:58 AM	Ignore weenerdog Report Abuse
	It's probably not that simple as solutions seldom are. If people drove at a constant speed, they might gain a mile or two per gallon, but that's not how people drive. I agree that people use more gas and spend more money on it than they need to because of their driving habits, but cruising speeds aren't the problem. In fact, people trying to get around people driving at steady speeds probably burn up more gas than the others are saving. That defeats the purpose. More studies are probably needed.
fratt Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,192 Points:934,900 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:07:48 AM	Ignore fratt Report Abuse
	Nobody will abide by it.
courier400 Champion Author Kansas Posts:6,374 Points:1,503,260 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:05:20 AM	Ignore courier400 Report Abuse
	wont work, they will change the fuel averages again.
Spitzer Champion Author Charleston Posts:7,291 Points:993,590 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 7/5/2008 10:04:05 AM	Ignore Spitzer Report Abuse
	We need to be expanding in the face of adversity not shrinking. How many do you think will actually abide by the lower speed ?