Senator Proposes Lowering National Speed Limit to 55 MPH
Published: Jul. 11, 2008 at 11:51 PM CDT|Updated: Jul. 15, 2008 at 1:16 PM CDT
Senator Proposes Lowering National Speed Limit to 55 MPH
By: Heartland News
By: Heartland News
Oil and gas prices continue to rise causing economic problems all around.
At the pump, we're seeing prices getting closer and closer and in some places exceeding that $4 mark.
In Cape Girardeau, gas was $3.96 a gallon Friday. The national average was at $4.11 a gallon. This comes as oil prices hit another record high.
A slowing economy has one lawmaker wanting everyone to slow it down.
It's an idea some may remember, a Virginia senator is proposing to lower the national speed limit to 55 miles an hour.
Senator John Warner pointed to a study that says driving 55 would save the nation 167,000 barrels of oil a day because that's when many cars are most fuel efficient.
The last time the speed limit was 55 was 1974 during the Arab oil embargo.
For every mile per hour faster than 55 mph, fuel economy drops by about one-percent.
At 65 mph, you're burning 10-percent more fuel than you are at 55, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
So we asked drivers if it would be worth it to slow down...
"I think it's a good thing. It'll save gas. And do you typically drive the speed limit or under? I drive under," said Leo Anderson of Oran.
"I think the speed limit at 70. It should stay there because the majority of people are exceeding it and I don't think if you move it or lower they're going to go lower or slower," said Faye Gosche of Kelso.
"I think the advantages, we're trying to save energy, that's one way to do it, burn less gasoline plus the safety of the people," said Jean Stuess of Kansas City.
That safety aspect is what supporters consider another big benefit, saying it could cut down on up to 4000 traffic deaths a year.
