55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

[Bird03]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

By car faster uses more fuel is true. But by jet is another thing. Back in 1974 when Nixon mandated 55 MPH he also lowered the speed of Air Force 1 by 200 MPH from around 600 MPH to 400 MPH. Planes fuel usage is figured by the hour. Didn't take long and the Goverment figured out that at the lower speeds the plane was in the air hours longer and was using more fuel. It wasn't 30 days and Air Force One was back up to speed.

An example of when trying too hard doesn't work. Airlines this year are flying slower.

Average flight:

3 minutes slower

$500.00 savings per flight

[MObird]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

I don't know why but I get better mileage than my husband does. The differences between our driving is he uses cruise control and I don't, and I drive faster than he does.
And I saw a piece on the Today Show recently that said less brakes, better mileage.

[rthirdbird]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

How about the Insurance companies! Each time you get a moving violation your car insurance rates go up. I think the police and insurance companies are both looking for the increased money windfall.

[Bradford]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

My gas mileage does not increase that much by going slower. I usually drive 80 - 85 mph or faster. I have the tickets to prove it, also have a lawyer that just waits on my next ticket, I like driving fast, always have, it's fun, I pay him to plead the ticket, pay a fine, court cost and have no points from having adjudication withheld. My last trip, I was getting around 23 - 25 or more mpg on the highway, CAI, no Borlas. I'll be anxious to check it now with the Borlas, might not make any difference. But before my CAI, I was getting about the same mpg on the highway. Haven't been 55 in years, can't imagine it would get much better. What some need to remember, car engines are built much different than they were in 1974 when they reduced the speed limit to 55 mph. Now there is a attempt to design for mileage, even though, I'm sure there is much more that could be done that isn't. Now that preminum is over $4 a gallon, I'll slow down, check my mileage, if it's better, I'll try slowing down, if not, I'm going to enjoy driving. Sometimes I don't even think about the speed, I'm just driving at what is comfortable to me.

[EllisonCal]

Re: 55 Mile Per Hour Limit coming back?

Yep, local governments are probably salivating over the possible lowering of speed limits - always looking for additional revenue. Look at the increase in speeding fines in VA. last year. 55MPH on an interstate is akin to torture. I know I did a lot of business traveling by car in the 1980s - AND I got most of my speeding tickets during that time. It's easy to let your attention wander for a few seconds, and you are up to at least 65. If they lower the limit to 55 MPH on the interstates, I think I would just rather not travel by car at all.

Amen, but have you bought an airplane ticket lately?
Cal