I heard on a local talk radio show that Hillary Clinton recently proposed, as part of finding our way out of the "energy crisis", that we return to 55 miles per hour speed limits. I have not been able to confirm that.

But, assuming this is on the table, what do you think?

Didn't they do this in the 70's? Hasn't it been proven to be ineffective?

http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/69045.htm

May 24, 2006 -- WASHINGTON - In a surprise move yesterday, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton called for "most of the country" to return to a speed limit of 55 miles per hour in an effort to slash fuel consumption.

Let's try a carrot rather than a stick - shall we???

Eric

Back then I had a 1500 cc, VW MicroBus and loved it. But then 55 miles per hour was pretty close to the maximum speed in the high-plains areas areas, +5,000 ft.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

How about a compromise. 60mph?

Check out this poll:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797

I'd rather have the $100.

I just don't see that doing anything other than making interstate travel painful. My problem, and I'm guessing the problem of a lot of folks, is traffic - not speed. I never see faster than 50 miles per hour due to congestion alone. Want to improve economy? How about addressing 30 minutes of stop and go traffic...

*** Retired after 65,000 outstanding miles ***

If i drive 55 on the interstate here around Chicago, i'd better have a ramp on the back of my car !!!

Noway! We have to look forward to the future, and not to the past.

OMG! I drove thru Chicago once and was petrified. I felt like i was on the autobahn!!!

Here's my opinon. Yes, it is a pretty dumb suggestion which no one will iisten to. I would not care, I am not in a perpetual rush like most people out there. I'd get better fuel mileage too. What I see though, is a recognition of the problem. When the White House says that we do not need to change our ways and big SUV's and poor mileage cars are just "The American Way." Great, being an energy pig is the American Dream.
At least she is recongizing the problem- it is the first step. If everyone else in Washington ignores the crisis at hand, things are never gonna get better. Denial sucks.

Actually, I think that the speed limit to be lowered to 55 for any vehicle getting less than 30mpg at that speed. You could never enforce it, but SUV's (with the exception of Porsche & BMW) were not designed for high speeds.

55 is a better speed limit than 65, in terms of fuel consumption, but at 55, people drove 65. At 65, people drive 70. A law that everyone's ignoring is useless. Leave it at 65, but enforce it vigorously. It's not a recommendation, it's a law.