Should the U.S. go back to the 55mph speed limit nation wide?

Question

With all the gas shortages. We all need to conserve. We did it for a long time during the all through the 80's and part of the 90's. It was the speed limit when I got my first driver's licence.

I think it would be a good thing to help conserve, besides it is safer. When people slow down a little there are less accidents. So it would do two good things.

Answer 1

there are no gas shortages...and no the speed limits are fine the way they are.

If you choose to drive 55, more power to you. But dont tell me to drive slow...because I wont.

good luck

Answer 2

Yes. People need to slow down. Not just to save gas but for safety. There would be a lot less accidents if everyone drove 55. Fast drivers always complain about their rights. No where in the Constitution does it say that a person has the right to speed. Why should some some demon have the right to kill me?

Answer 3

The amount of money you spend on gas and the speed at which you drive are linked.

Look at it this way: if you drove at an infinite speed, you would use gas infinitely fast, and would have an empty tank instantly.

On the other hand, if your car is stopped, you are driving at the lowest possible speed, and you never use any gas at all.

So, yes, you will save money on gas by driving 55.....

Answer 4

About a month ago I began to drive using the "tachometer" instead of the speedometer to control the engine.  I kept the tach at 2000 RPM most of the time, although for upgrades and some situations I would get up to 3000 RPM.

On limited access roads and parkways I can maintain a speed of 60 MPH (on level grade) at 2000 RPM easily.  After driving this way and tracking the mileage (2002 Honda Civic) I calculated a saving of about 10% on gas  -  33 miles to the gallon instead of the normal 30.

At 60 MPH (in the right lane) I don’t think I slowed down drivers who wanted to go faster, but for me the saving was worth the small sacrifice.  

You may find also that you will be more aware of other cars on the road.

Answer 5

**** No.  

In fact, speed limits should be increased from 70 to 80 mph.  Already the majority of drivers in fact exceed the speed limit.  The highway system is designed to allow very high speeds.  Forcing people to slow down in fact is less safe because during rush hour traffic, a large number of people exceed the speed limit which causes very dangerous situations when slower drivers are blocking traffic.  

It is not the business of the federal government to dictate into state rights concerning interstate traffic.  

Nor is it the business of the federal government to dictate a unreasonable driving speed.

And gambit, my car runs at 2500 rpms at 85 miles per hour.

, but I doubt that is the most efficient speed.  Most cars run more efficient in its highest gear, but the speed that is depends on the vehicle you are driving.  The engines we drive today are undoubtebly more efficent than what was driven in the 1970's.  

Back to the point, it is your own business if you want to save gas by going at a lower speed, but dont expect the guy flying up behind you to understand that on the highway.

Answer 6

No. that was ridiculous.

If you want prople to use less gas there should be a graduated gas tax. The more gas your car uses the more tax you should have to pay.

Cars that get below 10MPG should have to pay about 100% more per gallon (that would be double), just for tax, over the present tax.

Cars that get 10 to 14 MPG should have to pay 80% more per gallon, just for tax.

Cars that get 14 to 18 MPG should have to pay 50% more per gallon, just for tax.

Cars that get 18 to 22 MPG should have to pay 30% more per gallon, just for tax.

Cars that get 22 to 25 MPG should have to pay 20% more per gallon, just for tax.

Cars that get 25 to 30 MPG should have to pay 15% more per gallon, just for tax.

Cars that get 30 to 35 MPG should have to pay 10% more per gallon, just for tax.

Cars that get 35 to 40 MPG should have to pay 5% more per gallon, just for tax.

Cars that get 40 to 50 MPG should have to pay 2½% more per gallon, just for tax.

Cars that get over 50 MPG should have to pay no more per gallon, just for tax, over the present taxes.

Answer 7

I was thinking that also. But, I think people really like to drive fast and it would be hard to get the law passed these days. I am often amazed at how fast people do drive.

Answer 8

I agree with you.  The engine in most vehicles will be most efficient when it is running at 2500 rpms, which is usually about 55 miles per hour.  Driving slower will definitely conserve fuel.  

One thing I think that is good which will come out of the high gas prices is that auto producers and many other companies are working on more efficient engines and also alternative fuel sources.  The gas will likely stay high for a while but then will come plunging back to earth as we start developing our domestic oil and also using alternative fuel sources.

Answer 9

don't tell lukky to drive slow, cuz he won't.  one less idiot in the world splattered across the side of a road, I say.  To answer your question, yes, I think they should.

Answer 10

In New York, of all places, the speed limit is 55 on major roadways. The Long Island Expressway is STILL stuck at 55 even though the speed limit laws changed 27 years ago. That's insane. In New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, the speed limit is 65 for most major roads. Speeding isn't so much relative to the speed limit but rather the road conditions. Just as lots of traffic means slower drivers, regardless.

I wouldn't disagree with using a variable speed limit system where electronic or remote controlled signs post the updated speed limit in a given spot. On the LIE at 12:30am, the speed limit should be bumped up to about 70 on most nights. However, at 5:30pm, I don't see a problem with having no speed limit... since nobody is capable of doing over 25 mph anyway.

Ideal speeds for maximum efficiency are between 55 and 70 mph, depending on a substantial list of variables. I find that my car is most agreeable at 65+. And there never was nor is there currently any sort of fuel shortage. That was propaganda during - get this - a war.

I want you to Google speed-to-crash statistics. The relationship will be surprising. The ones you hear about are the tragedies at higher speeds. But how many fender benders at 15 mph in a parking lot do you think go unreported every day? Regardless, stupid people will forever be given a license to drive. With that license, they will sit behind a wheel and hit things and any speed. The speed limit is an arbitrary number and won't restrain the arrogant and invincible teenagers or adults who WILL cause accidents no matter what.

You need to drive safely and remember that if a driver is doing 90 in a 55, he or she has something coming eventually. Keep your own eyes on the road and look out for yourself. You can only be responsible for your own vehicle and its passengers.

Answer 11

honestly the legal speed limit across the nation really hasnt changed it's still 55mph and on the interstate it's 65- 75mph if people want to speed then it's the cops job to catch them and stop them but other then that there isnt much els we can do about it. All i've seen about shortages dont sound rite and canada is the newest big oil super power in the world and that means less transportation costs for it to get to the us and still the cost per gallon is going up when it should rightfully be going down :(. In my opinion it's all just a bunch of hoopla and the big oil companies just want there pockets a little fater :(((

Answer 12

No, but at the same time, if the highway had speed limits per lane instead, I think it'd cause less frustration among highway drivers. Some people like to drive fast, some like to drive slow, I used to be the former and now I'm the latter. I can understand why people would like to drive fast and think it's perfectly fine for them to do so, the only problem is when you have drivers who expect everybody else to drive as fast as they do. I believe it should be a sliding scale, on the right side of the highway, you can drive 45-55mph. Allowing the far side of the highway to have lower speeds would be beneficial to nearly everyone and here is why.

First off, when you're merging onto the highway, what is more difficult, going from 0-55 in 10 seconds or going 0-75 in 10 seconds? It's a lot harder to go from being at the onramp at either 30mph or 0mph (if it's metered) and get to 75mph. At the same time, setting a speed limit for the entire highway to 55mph would just p**s off most drivers and cause more congestion.

So the solution to those who want to drive slow and those who want to drive fast is to have at least two different speed limits and minimum speeds as well. An example of a eight lane highway (four in each direction) would be this: Far right, 45min-55max, Right Middle 55min-65max, Left Middle 65min-75max, Far left would be Passing lane.