Thread: 55 MPH rearing it UGLY head again?

Tweet

Saw this question on MSN this morning......

"....Tell us: Should we bring back 55 mph law to save gas?....."

( http://moneycentral.msn.com/communit...hreadid=709659 )

Everything I've seen says the prices are due to everything except a shortage of fuel. I'd much rather see our elected officials do something about the profiteering and inflation that's going on rather put another bandaid on the wrong finger again.

I vote yes. It would save gas but even more important, this whole country is just wound too tight and needs to relax and enjoy the journey.

there is a good side to going back to 55 , getting T-boned by a soccer mommy yaking on a cell phone at 55 is better than 90..

Did they ever determine if during that 55 mph period we REALLY saved any gas??

I think the prices alone will save gas and lives. People are definitely driving a whole lot less., I'm seeing a real reduction in the amount of cars on the road lately. Also seeing a lot less huge SUV type cars too, it seems.

Guy at the gas pumps yesterday with an F350 Ford pickup was telling me it costs over $ 150 now to fill his truck, and it lasts him 3 days.

Don

There was a lot of debate over whether it really saved any fuel. Thinking from an aerodynamic point it would seem that more energy would be needed to break the air, so it's theoretically conceivable. How much though from 55 to say 65 is probably a small amount to measure, especially on modern computer controlled cars with overdrive that are more efficient at highway speeds.

The other canard they used to sell that idea was "55 saves lives". Traffic fatalities have been falling fairly steadily since the last 55 edict was killed. Statistics "should" kill that "saves lives" argument, but then............we are dealing in logic there instead of politicseese. The lowering of traffic deaths is more likely due to a combination of measures; airbags, better designed cars, enforcement of seatbelt useage and stronger enforcement of nailing drunk drivers. A little more hypothetically would be less of a differential in speed from one vehicle to another. My recollection is that when "most" folks were doing 55 you still had those who wanted to do the "old" limit. They ended up doing a lot of weaving in an out. That still happens today at higher speeds, but seems less to me............but then I don't drive 20-30k miles a year like I used to either.

Yes driving 55 MPH saves gas. My wife's 2006 Chrysler Mini Van gets 32 MPG @ 55 mph and 26 MPG @ 70 MPH.

I do know one thing, during those 55 mph days any trip on an interstate was a looooooooong, boring one.

Don

I agree with that Don, I had just bought a new 74 Monte Carlo, driving 55 was almost like walking after driving a 72 Camaro 80 plus.

Richard

Here comes all that falling asleep at the wheel again,to help the crash statistics..........

I think a combination of things will happen and already is happening. The days of the Super Size Me cars is fading. There will always be a market for them, but it will be with consious thought. SUV's still are the number one vehicle on the road, along with mini vans here in northern california. We actually bought a small one (2 wheel drive Toyota Highlander, with 4 cyl) which is a Camry chasis with a box thrown on top. It gets decent milage for it's size, about 22-27mpg depending on use, but it's the weight of the vehicle that has always concerned me. It takes a lot more distance to stop than my small truck, or any car I've driven. When you have to jam the brakes on at speed, the antilocking action takes over, and gives you an outta control feeling.
I agree with Don, getting T boned at 55 is better than 80mph!
What we are starting to see here, is lots of small commuter car purchases. My friends with two kids who insisted they needed a Ford Expedition to tote all their stuff, now have 3 kids, and drive a 4 door Mazda, that seems to work just fine for them, and gets about twice the gas milage!
Like the 70's when we had to buy gas on certain days, the muscle cars took a back seat to the Hondas and VW rabbits. Once gas was more availible, those cars faded away.
I also agree with the fact that everybody seems in such a damb hurry all the time. It's infectious! You hop in the car to run some errands, and next thing you know your ten miles over the speed limit, with some rubbernecker pissing everyone off to the point of road rage. I'm afraid if the speed limit does go down, road rage will get worse as will right lane passing. Here we have a really stupid law on the books that makes it legal to split lanes on a motorcycle. I ride a motorcycle and can tell you, this one law makes the car road rage against bikes even worse! It also causes accidents and fatalities.
I just hope that somewhere in all of this, my hot rod will have a future to stretch it's wings and be legal!

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I do know one thing, during those 55 mph days any trip on an interstate was a looooooooong, boring one.

Don

I have to agree. I do find myself just allowing more time and driving the secondary roads, going through the small towns.

I have had vehicles that would do 21 at 55 and at 68 make 16. That was a few years back but I would almost bet most cars would see somewhere around 10-15% increase in economy.

One thing that has been left out of this discussion are the OTR truckers. They are a PITA as it is now and 55 will only make it worse. Having one of those idiots bearing down on you is not my idea of fun.

It's just amazing to me that so many people can't figure out for themselves that if they slow down they'll save gas..... I went to Sioux Falls the other day for a doctor's appointment, 50 miles each way. Speed limit on the interstate is 75, I ran 65 as did a lot of other cars.... Most everyone who was out in the right lane still hammering on it were the big SUV's and the full size pickups, many of them are still running 80 and bitchin' about how much fuel costs!!!!! Idjuts....

Just a dang shame that some people will have to wait for the government to mandate the 55 mph crap again when all they would have to do is back off a bit and save some fuel voluntarily.... Sometimes I gotta wonder, maybe we are just getting what we deserve.....

Plan on getting up 30 mins to one hour sooner and get home that much later in the evening too!!!!