Return to the 55 MPH speed limit?

[belfert]

Well, I tell ya, At 55, your Produce, Eggs, Milk and everything else you eat is going to be a Whole lot LESS Fresh.. 

We still had fresh food when the speed limit was 55.  I'm not saying we should necessarily go back to 55, but at the minimum do strict enforcement of current limits.  I see plenty going way over the limit even when the limit is 70 MPH.

[HighTechRedneck]

A 3000 mile trip would take an extra 14 hours driving time at 55 vs. 75.  For one average driver that would amount to about one extra day.  Driving teams, less than that.

In my pickup, that hypothetical 3000 mile trip would cost an extra $210 in fuel at 75 vs. 55.

In these old buses, would it be fair to say there is a 2mpg difference between 55 and 75? (I don't know, my bus tops at 62)  Using that figure because it seems familiar from previous discussions, the 3000 mile trip would cost an additional $700 in fuel at 75 vs. 55.  How much is a day worth?

If a fully loaded truck on the 3000 mile run gained just 1.5mpg it would save 138 gallons, $578 at $4.19/gal.

[kyle4501]

I am surprised that free-wheeling busnuts would want to invite the government more deeply into their hobby. 

Some prefer to have decisions made for them, then they don't have to think for themselves & they can deny responsibility for their actions. 

This country was more successful when we had smaller govt, fewer laws, more prayer in schools, public corporal punishment, & the press used some discretion.

[BusCrazyTom]

Here here, Kyle! A standing ovation!

BusCrazyTom the Analog Dinosaur

[HighTechRedneck]

I am surprised that free-wheeling busnuts would want to invite the government more deeply into their hobby. 

Some prefer to have decisions made for them, then they don't have to think for themselves & they can deny responsibility for their actions. 

This country was more successful when we had smaller govt, fewer laws, more prayer in schools, public corporal punishment, & the press used some discretion.

I whole heartedly agree with you on this point and it does make me think hard about it.

But if a national reduction in consumption is needed, that is the most gentle approach.  I would much rather see the restrictions on drilling in Alaska and the gulf shores opened up and it make it easier to get a refinery built.  But I don't think that is going to happen any time soon, especially with the direction the next elections are likely to go. 

[Sojourner]

Amen! Kyle!....The truth is good to hear!

About 55 speed limit.....It is our disadvantage to us bus nuts when we come down hill, we need the extra momentum to try make the upcoming hill with less black smoke in the long run for us non-turbo.  However the same applied to turbo equips by trying keep exhaust temperature at lowest scale while climbing.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[Lee Bradley]

Right idea Len, you just aren't thinking through. What we need is a 35 or 25 MPH national speed limit. Just think of the fuel and lives we could save and we could get rid of cars. Everybody knows how dangerous those are; everyone could ride trains and buses as those are much safer and more fuel efficient. Those single family houses have to go. We can put up apartment buildings where you work, much easier to heat and cool one building and no more commuting. The savings are just endless if we just put the government in charge of everthing.

I am reminded of this story. Right after Nixon announced the nation wide 55 MPH limit he flew back to California and to show he was with the people he had his plane fly 10% slower than normal cruise. Of course, his plane use more fuel because normal cruise is best fuel mileage.

[rcbishop]

Bobsw....the most sensible repsonse for sure.... Do it your way!!!!!!!!!!!

FWIW
RCB

[Lin]

H.T. Redneck,
     I did not check your figures but even if they are correct, 14 hours of drive time is probably two days not one.  Seven hours of drive time is enough in one day(unless I'm on the way to collect on my winning lottery ticket).  Two days is 20% of a 10-day vacation!

[HighTechRedneck]

H.T. Redneck,
     I did not check your figures but even if they are correct, 14 hours of drive time is probably two days not one.  Seven hours of drive time is enough in one day(unless I'm on the way to collect on my winning lottery ticket).  Two days is 20% of a 10-day vacation!

If I'm just casually driving and stopping at points of interest along the way, you're right, seven hours is enough for one day.  But when I am driving for the purpose of getting efficiently to a destination (i.e. a vacation destination), I have always planned 14 hours driving per day.  That leaves 2 hours for stops and 8 hours for sleep/relax time.

As for the math.

3000 miles / 75mph = 40 hours driving.
3000 miles / 55mph = 54.5 hours

3000 miles / 5mpg = 600 gallons
3000 miles / 7mpg = 429 gallons

171 gallons x $4.19/gal = $716.49

[JackConrad]

    We typically drive about 60 MPH, taking non-interstata highways. Last week, we had to make an emergency trip from NC to Il because Paula's father is not doing well. This was a quick trip with the destination as the goal (14 hour drive 0400-1800).We drove almost all interstate highways with the cruise set at 68-69. This trip was made in our Grand Cherokee, averaging 19 MPH. While we usually drive closer to 55, I like the option of running closer to 70 if neccessary.  Jack

[FloridaCliff]

   While we usually drive closer to 55, I like the option of running closer to 70 if neccessary. 

I like the option also.

Its like anything else, those who are not going to obey the law won't anyway.

I believe I had just as many people zipping by me when it was 55 or 70.

I have been experimenting for awhile with different speeds and figuring out my mileage.

If I am in no hurry (I hope), I chose to cruise slower and reep the savings, but sometimes we are having such a good time on a trip, that the extra fuel is worth the extra time spent at our destination.

Yea, I like the options

Cliff

[RJ]

Interesting tidbits about the old 55 mph NSL:

~~  It was the most violated law nationwide since Prohibition.

~~  The California Highway Patrol's Academy is quite close to I-80 on the northern fringe of Sacramento.  During the 55 NSL, the average speed past the CHP's school was 75 mph - the fastest average in CA at the time.

Go figure. . .

[GM0406]

RJ,  Noticed CHP set up before and after their station.  A word of caution to gamblers, better to set cruise for limit in those areas.  Bill T.

[cody]

I think the proposed 55 speed limit is a governmental ploy to get me to speed up, I even think libby is in on the conspiracy, I heard a nasty rumor that she is thinking about putting a caster on the bottom of my cane too.