What would happen to our national oil consumption, per day in barrels , if the speed limit were lowered to 55?

Question

if we significantly lowered our consumption would it bring the price down?

Answer 1

Lower speed limits on highway would slightly improve gasoline mileage and, perhaps, lower oil consumption.   Far more effective is the economic disincentive of higher gasoline prices.  The higher gasoline prices are effectively lowering oil consumption because people are changing their driving habits to keep expenditures down.

The truth be told, the amount of reduction in oil consumption from lower speed limits is unlikely to much effect on gasoline prices as the price of oil.  Prices are high because the supply of oil is not keeping up with the growth in demand.  Only if we have a major recession which reduces economic activity and its accompany demand for oil can we expect oil (and gasoline) prices to go down.

Which is better, higher prices and a strong economy or lower prices and a big recession?   Either way, take your medicine.

Answer 2

Setting a speed limit as a factor is consumption is impossible. Truth is that different vehicles have different transmissions. My Ford Festiva always got 43mpg, no matter my speed, and I kept a log. My Prius, even with the variable transmission, still has some "sweet spots" with efficiency, I can watch it minute by minute on my display and 55mph is not one of the "sweet spots". Speed limits should be a factor of safety and practicality, while personal choices in vehicle type and the speed individuals drive should stay just that, personal choices. I wish everyone chose the most efficient vehicle for their needs, but that hasn't happened yet. Excursion and Hummer owning idiots still choose to betray America by sending more American money overseas to our enemies. There are alot of things we could do, but making everyone drove slow really never worked.

Answer 3

It was 55 mph. The federal government allowed the states to raise it. I lived in Montana and it took forever to get anywhere at 55.

Answer 4

Question is why doesn't the government require the auto companies to market the engines that get 100 miles to the gallon. They have them you know! Just more corporate greed. It's a fact that fossil fuels are destroying our earth and nobody seems to give a dam.  Our grand childrens, children are going to wander why we didn't care and left them with a clean-up they probley won't be able to clean-up. Fact is there are engines that get 100 mpg, there are engines that produce no emissions, but corporate america, plus our government just don't care. What a great country!

Answer 5

cars are more fuel efficient at steady velocities, usually about 65 or a little higher, so reducing speed to 55 will have no benefits. however, if fuel consumption of cars all over the world  was reduced just a little it will have an serious impact on prices.

Answer 6

It could...but in Michigan, the speed limit on the expressways was lowered to 55 once... my dad said NO ONE followed it. People won't. They already drive 80 and 90 on a 70 mph speed limit. You can lower it all you want, but it's really not going to stop people from driving the speed they want.

Answer 7

My oil consumption would be unaffected.  My speeding ticket budget, however, would skyrocket...

Answer 8

It would some. It would also reduce deaths from accidents. But now that we are not a nation that believes in laws, it really doesn't matter because no one will pay any attention to it.

Answer 9

People would go slower, but they wouldn't drive less.

Answer 10

We tried that once before, didn't work then, won't work now.  Of course, nothing is keeping you from driving 55.

Answer 11

When I drive that slow it's hard to steer.....and I can't get my car out of second gear......what used to take 2 hours now takes all day.....it took me 16 hours to get to LA.

Answer 12

If we significantly lowered our consumption prices would go down, but at the same time the refineries would lower their output to match demand thus bringing the prices back up.

As far as lowering the speed limit to lower consumption, I don't really know the answer to that one.  I think all cars consume different amounts of fuel at different speeds.