Once again, people are floating the idea of a 55 MPH limit to save fuel. This time, a peak in world oil production is looming and it's not like the 1970s when we still had decades of denial to screw around with.
Aack! Had a CT experienceI had an experience on this morning's commute that made me think of Carl, and the "out-of-nowhere," scenario. Driving along, about 50mph in the left lane on an urban...
Here's a link on oil depletion that every American ought to read before claiming to understand the topic via Fox News. Reality isn't always the thing that requires no worrying.
When U.S. speed limits were raised in the mid 90s, thinking people said it was shortsighted, and here we are now. We've wasted a lot of oil by glorifying higher speeds and we can't get it back. Even if people slowed down to 65 MPH it would make a big difference. I don't expect 55 to fly, but 75 is wasteful.
Asking Americans to show restraint is unpopular but tough choices usually are. You're all free to slow down TODAY before the government asks you to. Frugality doesn't mean caving in to a personal deficiency, as if you're a loser who can't earn enough money to buy the gas. Get over your ego and do the right thing.
And whatever you drive, if you drive it moderately, you'll get better efficiency. 90 MPH sucks in a both a Hummer and a Prius. More speed requires more power which requires more fuel.
"It has been done before. Along with record oil and gasoline prices, improvements in fuel efficiency and a lasting economic recession, speed limits helped curb fuel consumption for the first time in American postwar history between 1974 and 1984....Of course, energy eventually became cheap again, the economy expanded and Americans became complacent and unwilling to make more sacrifices. Instead of opting for small fuel-efficient cars, people switched to large sport utility vehicles and larger pickups. As drivers groaned and states fought for their right to speed, the limit was raised....The present predicament behind high oil prices is quite different than the oil shocks of the 1970's and 1980's, which were a result of producers in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries cutting oil supplies. Today, the price shock comes from rapidly increasing demand, driven largely by China, but also by the United States and its strong car culture."
C.T.
