Perhaps a petition is called for . . . or maybe something a bit less subtle:

"Republican politicians are supposed to stand for less government intervention in the lives of Americans. But don’t tell that to senator John Warner of Virginia. The lawmaker is considering asking Congress to reimpose a national speed limit similar 55 mph directive to the one introduced in 1974.

That abomination took 21 years to repeal. U.S. states have been free to set their own speed limits for the last 13 years, but if Warner has his way that could end — again. In a letter to Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman, Warner cites a study showing the 55 mph speed limit saved an average of 167,000 barrels of oil a day.

What’s unclear is how reducing oil consumption by 2 percent will ease the pain at the pump caused by $4 a gallon gas. Whether a relatively small drop in demand will do anything to affect gas prices is a question for economists to answer. But it seems inconceivable prices would fall in any appreciable way.

According to the Energy Department, fuel economy drops considerably above 60 mph. For every additional 5 mph, motorists pay an additional 30 cents per gallon in fuel costs, Warner claims. Apparently, this “Republican” thinks the federal governments needs to tell Americans how they can and cannot spend their money.

Angela Hill, a spokesperson for the Department, said if Congress wants to improve gas prices it must “take action on expanding domestic oil and natural gas production,” according to the Associated Press. We could suggest something even better: take all they money budgeted for the Iraq war, and put it toward electric car technology, and solar and nuclear power. A little startup in Silicon Valley has already done wonders with a few million dollars. Perhaps that would just be too logical."

 

It's sad and hysterical at the same time that they seriously think Americans driving around at 55 MPH is going to bring oil down from $150/bbl. The world would be so much better off if we got rid of 99% of the politicians and bureaucrats.

Btw link to said study please.

 

Nuts, where did I find that.

Oh, here it is:

Senator proposes 55 mph national limit redux

We should ask the good senator what speed limit he usually drives at these days. Something tells me it's not 55mph.

 

I remember reading about this discussion coming up recently before the senator proposed this officially. I wouldn't be surprised if he has some ties to insurance lobbyists. There was mention that the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) was an avid supporter of this because it saves lives. Lets not forget the real issue for this support.

Lower Speed Limits

lead to

MORE speeding tickets

which leads to

GREATER insurance premiums

 

Don't forget higher revenue for each municipality. It all comes down to money, sadly.

 

IN PUERTO RICO the speed limit is 40mph on some of the highways i was going crazy last weekend. It was funny seeing hyabusa's (most popular bike there) going 40 on a highway lol

 

Try 50kmh (32mph) on Montreal Canada expressways

 

On top of that they're thinking about passing an additonal "Gas Tax" fine for people who get speeding tickets in Dallas. Basically, there will be a Gas fee on top of the fine which goes straight to the police department to help pay for gas.

The logic is that if people who speed and get tickets know that some money goes straight to the gas tanks of police cruisers, they'll speed less.

Pretty freaking stupid.

 

Uh? It's 100km/h and 70km/h for in-town highways.

Everybody drives 110 anyways.

 

lol, 50KM an hour.

on the highway between toronto and montreal, the average speed is 135.

anyone driven on highway 90 through central USA? I'm told the speed limit in south dakota is 75, but it drops down to 65 in minnesota, and MN cops love giving tickets for like 6mph over. Any experience?

states i'm curious about are SD, MN, IL, WI, and IN.

p.s. that senator will get what's coming.