Would it save gas to slow down?
Sen. John Warner, the Virginia Republican, has asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to determine whether a national speed limit would save gasoline and drive down gas prices by increasing supplies. Some of us recall that in 1974, Congress lowered the speed limit on highways to 55 mph because of short supplies driven by the Arab oil embargo. That changed in 1995 when a barrel of oil was $17 and gas cost $1.10 a gallon. We went back to 65 and 70 mph, which are only recommended minimums. Most drive 80 on the freeway.
Gas is now approaching $5 a gallon, but I have my doubts that people will slow down, especially to a turtle-like 55 mph. They drive 55 in school zones, talking on their cell phones, with a flat tire, and intoxicated. Fifty-five on the freeway? No way.
This is America and we have a Constitutional right to drive as fast as we darned well please. Look it up. What do you think the Fourth of July stands for? Speed, and, of course, the right to burn your neighbor's house down with illegal fireworks. Congress is trying to turn us into a bunch of wimps.
Comments
I don't know if driving slower would save gas, thus save money at the pump. But I refuse to wallow in theory on and on.
The price for gasoline is going to be whatever the oil industry wants it to be. And if we use less gas, the price at the pump will go up proportionally to the loss of gallonage. (Conservation is not the thesis here).
I am sure that I am not the only one who remembers the conspiracy automobile industry/oil industry; to make the metropolitan areas get rid of their various public transportation systems. The Federal Government fines were large. But what does that help us today?
And what Federal Government is going to bat for the consumer today?
Posted by: Isabell Lawson | July 3, 2008 7:23 PM