Should the speed limit be lowered because of the price of gasoline?

Question

with gas being so high in America, why don't do what they did in the 70's. lower the speed zone? I thought that was a great idea because it saved alot of lives as well as saved gasoline. those were the good old days when you could fill up and joy ride all day and it wouldn't hurt your wallet. now i spend 55 to 60 bucks to fill up and . and its frustrating.

Answer 1

As one who endured that stupid reduced speed law, I can say it didn't work. People ignored the limit and eventually, the cops started leaving people alone who were driving safely while speeding.

They would only ticket those who were passing everyone or driving recklessly.

Answer 2

Funny thing is the drivers have all of the control of the vehicle, i think you/we can drive slower without the need to physically replace signs...ok?

Answer 3

Changing the current speed limits back to 55 mph will create more people breaking the speed limit.  I lived thru the time of the 55 mph speed limit.  Just a horrible time to be a driver.  We became a Nation of scofflaws.  Today in areas that are posted 55 mph, you may see one in a thousand traveling the speed limit.  The first URL below shows a list of traffic deaths each year starting in 1975.

The second URL is a research paper showing the rate of fatalities went down when the 55 mph speed limit was raised to 65 mph in 1987.   Then in 1995 President Clinton signed The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 which allowed each state to set speed limits on highways without interference by the Federal Government.  Best piece of legislation ever passed for drivers.  As you will see in the first list fatalities are fairly steady since 1995.  As for fuel reduction, yes, driving slower will save fuel.  But so will a lot of other factors available to drivers today.  Tire inflation, clean air filter, synthetic engine oil, smooth driving techniques, the use of cruise control as often as possible, just to name a few.  Folks, if we go back to a 55 mph speed limit there will be no need for v-6 and v-8 engines unless you pull a trailer.  Forget about a car that goes zero to 60 in 5 seconds.  60 mph will be illegal.  Cars and motorcycles with top speeds of 150 mph plus will be pointless.  The notion of driving excitement will become a thing of the past.  Driving will become horribly boring.  I read somewhere a report of the number of driving accidents during World War II.  Because of gas rationing the speed limit was set to 35 mph.  While I am unable to find the article, many of the drivers still able to drive were having accidents.  Reason, they were falling asleep.  Driving slow is really boring.  

Here is another way we as motorists can reduce fuel consumption.  DON'T HAVE ACCIDENTS!!!  Every time a motorist has an accident, traffic has to or wants to slow down (gaper delay).  Soon traffic comes to a complete halt.  How much fuel is being wasted then?  There is no easy solution.  Consolidate driving trips, walk, ride a bicycle, keep your car in tune will do a lot to save fuel.

Answer 4

lucky you! a fill up sets me back 90 bucks. thanks for the suggestion... hadn't thought about it but i think i'll slow down some now.

Answer 5

Sure is but its not really the speed limit that does it. You may save a little by driving 55 instead of 70 but the gas waste that will never change are the idiots, which equates to the majority of drivers out there, that think they need to get from stop light to stop light as fast as they can. Your highway driving is what gives you the best mileage, its the putting the pedal to the floor as soon as the light turns green that kills the gas mileage. I never have figured out why people want to complain about gas prices so much and then go out and do that.

Answer 6

Anyone who agrees with you may drive slower than the speed limit.

In my area where the highway speed limit is 70mph the minimum speed is posted as 45mph.

Good ideas don't have be a law to be good.

Answer 7

True, dropping the speed limits on highways back to 55MPH would increase fuel economy for people.  When I cruise at slower speeds and accelerate at a slower pace, I get better fuel economy, as much as 4MPG better.  Problem is, most people would still go the speed they're used to traveling.  For example, the interstate near my home is 70MPH.  Most people do around 70-80MPH.  They are doing major road work on the highway right where the exit is to get to my house, where they posted a 50MPH construction speed zone.  I've tested other drivers by slowing down to 50MPH, and EVERYONE blows by me like I'm standing still.  I've noticed that the majority of people don't reduce their speed at all when going through this reduced speed zone, even though the lanes narrow and get curvy with jersey barriers and workers on each side.  People just don't have any common sense.  If people don't slow down for 2 miles of construction, they sure as heck wouldn't drive 55MPH continuously down the interstate when they're used to going 70-80MPH.  You have a good idea in theory, but I don't think most people would obey.