Letters to the Editor
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A quick, simple way everyone can save fuel & $$
I'm old enough to remember the 1970s gas embargo -- and the federal requirement that made 55 mph the national speed limit.
I think this should be reinstated ASAP. Far more savings to everyone, regardless of the vehicle they drive, than a temporary gas tax holiday. The bigger the vehicle, the greater the savings, too!
Not only do cars use less fuel (estimate ~1% more for every mph above 55) and substantially lower fuel costs, but there were fewer traffic accidents and fatalities. Speed really does kill.
Here's my experience with the 70s cap on maximum speed. At the time, I commuted ~100 miles roundtrip, 5 days a week. The first week I made the mandatory shift, I hated it. I felt like a turtle. By the end of the week I realized that (a) the trip actually took only a few minutes longer each, (b) my fuel costs were much lower and (c) I arrived at work much less stressed, my shoulders relaxed rather than up around my ears.
The last was a stunning surprise. I would have sworn that driving 70-75 mph (open road, little traffic) was not only easy but totally enjoyable pleasure. My body told me something I'd been clueless about. After that, I relaxed and enjoyed the drive much more.
I still prefer driving 55 mph, although I drive faster when traffic demands(at some point, all those impatient and hostile drivers are simply too scary to deal with). But I refuse to drive over the speed limit.
So the heck with the gas holiday. Let's go back to 55 mph as our maximum speed. (A recent comparison of driving ~3 hrs oneway at 55 mph and the return at 70 mph in California yielded ~35% lower fuel costs for the slower speed, far more than a gas tax holiday would provide.)