Should the speed limit be lowered?

Question

Due to air drag, cars get worse energy efficiency (gas mileage) at higher speeds. If we lowed the speed limit to 45 miles per hour, not only would it save a lot of fuel, but it would save a lot of lives. Does anyone REALLY need to go on vacation at 65mph?

Answer 1

No.

The average "sweet spot" for a vehicle (the optimum speed to obtain the best gas mileage) is from 40 to 60 MPH, depending on various factors such as drag coefficient and vehicle weight. This includes all vehicles, such as passenger cars, trucks, SUVs and sports cars. So, a lightweight vehicle with a very aerodynamic body might actually get the best gas mileage at around 60 to 65 MPH. And, lowering the speed limit to 45 would not significantly affect the amount of fuel saved overall.

Remember, when they reduced the speed limit to 55 back in the 1970s, the theory was that it would save an appreciable amount of fuel versus a 65 MPH speed limit. That may have been true at the time. But, with the advent of lighter vehicles and more aerodynamic body shapes - as well as increased vehicle safety features - they went back to 65 MPH, because there was no appreciable affect on overall gasoline consumption.

Answer 2

Go Jimmy Carter. Been there done that. Didn't help.

Answer 3

Absolutely. Only I'd knock it back to 30 MPH..  In fact, -I'd design car engines to "cut out" at 35 MPH, so as to ENSURE that nobody could beat the Speed Limit... Think of all the Lives, Gas, AND Speeding Tickets it would save!

Answer 4

Actually, I DO REALLY need to go 65.  Your retarded.  Good luck though

Answer 5

i so agree with u. the speed limits are diffrent in all the states. i used to live in conneticut and the speed limits there were safe. now i life in arizona and the speed limits are way to fast and people here drive like idiots. i think the speed limits should be lowered everywhere. it would safe a few lifes.

Answer 6

I think they tried a 55 mph speed limit "55 to stay alive." but i heard there were more accidents during that time period than before.  I would have to do some research to be sure but thats what I had heard.  But I do like the idea of better gas mileage.

Answer 7

It could go either way.  I think 45 is a bit low.  

Most Interstates are now @ 75 mph and other highways at 65 mph.

If I go on vacation and I'm traveling (nonstop) for 500 miles @ 65 mph it would take 7.7 hours to arrive.

If I'm traveling at 45 mph (nonstop) it would take11.1 hours to arrive. An additional 3 hours and 15 minutes.

We live in a world where everyone is in a hurry.  Shaving 3 hours off a trip makes a lot of difference to most people.  I doubt that it will change any time soon.  

When your traveling locally and only going 10 or 20 miles it only shave off a few minutes, so it makes sense to have a lower speed, but a lot of people would disagree with you there.

Answer 8

No. Make everyone ride bicycles and eliminate the speed limit all together. That's just about as stupid.

Answer 9

Actually Cars get worse gas mileage below 55mph. Since 55 is the standard speed limit most manufacturers make engines that do the optimum mpg at that speed for advertising purposes.

At 45mph most cars will actually use between 15 and 40 percent more fuel than 55. The same is true of 65mph.

Answer 10

seriosly

Answer 11

They tried that once.  Didn't last.

Answer 12

h**l NO!!

  If the problem is the fuels we are using, than we need to consider alternative to oil fuel, and gasoline. We all know that there have been alternative sources to run our auto's, even the " hybrid " is a great start. If the consumer gets angry enough than the oil companies will have to make some changes. I mean how long Will you the consumer say " It's okay to spend 4.00 a gallon of gas." ?

The speed limit is not the issue, I'd say it's the fuel that is a true source of interest.

Answer 13

Yes to 25 miles per hour!