Republicans used to attack anyone who suggested such an idea so it's going to be interesting to see how this one flies. Looking at the more radical plans the GOP is promoting (such as damaging the environment) this addresses the key issue of trimming fuel consumption in a pain-free way. Of course, I only drive on rare occasions and for reasons that do not make any sense to me, people get worked up on the issue of driving fast. More on the John Warner speed limit plan.
Warner cited studies that showed the 55 mph speed limit saved 167,000 barrels of oil a day, or 2 percent of the country's highway fuel consumption, while avoiding up to 4,000 traffic deaths a year.
"Given the significant increase in the number of vehicles on America's highway system from 1974 to 2008, one could assume that the amount of fuel that could be conserved today is far greater," Warner wrote Bodman.
Warner asked the department to determine at what speeds vehicles would be most fuel efficient, how much fuel savings would be achieved, and whether it would be reasonable to assume there would be a reduction in prices at the pump if the speed limit were lowered.
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