How many barrels of oil will the U.S. save a day if Congress imposes a 55 MPH National speed limit?

Question

When this was done in the 70's we saved 167,000 barrels of oil a day, but in 2008 we use much more oil so will the savings be much, much higher?

Answer 1

55mph is not optimum for driving, about 62 mph is!.. so if they reduced it, oil consumption would actually go up!

The key is, moving away from automatic transmisions, making sure people's cars are serviced, Tyres inflated to right pressure, cutting out on air con, not driving with a roof rack, accelerating and braking smoothly and car sharing all add mpg.. So teaching people and education is better than a drocanian laws that don't serve anyone.

There is no easy answer to global oil issues apart from getting people out of the cars and onto public transport but unless major funding is fed into this infrastructure. the American and his love affair for his car, is going to be here for a long time yet!

Answer 2

I guess much higher.

But an even bigger saving in gas, and in the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted would be if all cars had manual (stick shift) transmissions.

Answer 3

well there will still be speeders out there.  plus not ever where right now is over 70.  about 55 is about the best speed.  also driving habbits of people will have to change too with saving gas.  i know i dont totally support hypermilers but some of the stuff i tryed and it did help on gas mileage.  also  honestly got to say is that less and less suv's are on the road.