Quote:
Originally Posted by JJW
Actually, the single most effective thing we could do to reduce fuel usage, short of getting rid of the SUVs, would be to reinstate and enforce the national 55 mph speed limit...
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An idea that (in addition to all the other problems) suffers from over-generalization. For instance, on my route into town there is a small hill. I let my speed drop to ~45 mph going up (limit is 50, most traffic is 55-60), increase to about 65 on the downhill, and semi-coast to the light about a mile down the road. In good weather I can average over 100 mpg on this stretch. If a 55 mph limit was strictly enforced, I'd have to ride the brakes on the downhill (as I see many doing), wasting energy and getting lower overall mpg.
Or take another example: on my drive from Reno to San Jose, I go over an 8500 ft pass, then the next 70 miles or so is all downhill, and I effectively use zero gas on this stretch. Why should I be limited to 55 there, in order to "save gas" that I'm not using?