Here’s a modest proposal: Starting at a fleet average of 20 mpg for current vehicles, reduce the speed limit to 55 mph and limit the size of all non-commercial vehicles to 3000 pounds. For every additional 5 mph of speed or extra 500 pounds of car, the fuel efficiency has to increase by 5 mile per gallon. The technology is out there; Big Oil is just colluding to keep it from us.
The 55 limit cost fuel, and lives. Longer travel times led to more accidents on limited access freeways. (more folks fell asleep) Modern cars are designed, gear ratios, transmission additional gears etc, and aerodynamics etc to get best mileage around 65-70. Hybrids get better city especially, and one Honda “pool” vehicle a few years ago was getting a consistent 53 mpg- even on longer trips because we live in hilly country. The newer ones aren’t doing as well, what’s up with THAT? yup, big oil.
^ you just took me back to my 5th grade science project on aerodynamics. …well, and to the Grand Turismo driving simulations, lol.
And there is a decent point about the speed limits as one looks at the deaths and severe caused by blown tires. Agreed, it’s typically large SUVs, but still.
The reality is when you raise the speed then you raise the danger and potential damage.
With that said, I like driving around 70 or so when I can, though I know it’s riskier and lessens my gas mileage. Hypocritical?
Michael, my ‘67 Elan got over 30 mpg- around 34 at 70mph, then came the 55 limit and my mileage dropped to around 18- gear ratios, the vehicle has outstanding aero, and little drag, and only weighs 1280 pounds, 4 cylinders Webber high efficiency carbs. My friend’s 2008 Corvette gets a consistent 34 miles per gallon on the highway- fun does NOT need to equal inefficient- big pig vehicles DO equal inefficient.
At 180-220 mph, downforce might be needed, and is generated by aero, at 70-100 mph- on highways- totally insignificant. As to break PADS- what are you driving that still has “shoes”? The tires on my RAV are rated at 130 mph for eight hours, others are rated even higher. My Lotus will stop faster from 100mph than a (same year) Corvette from 55. My RAV will also stop very quickly, from 100 mph- I’ve checked, and neither disk rotors or pads will “explode”.
Do you drive a Jeep?? Yugo?
California Highway Patrol noted that especially on I-5 between Los Angeles and San Francisco turnoff, the single vehicle late hour accidents increased some 40% after the 55 limit went in, and begged to have it reversed. The added DRIVE TIME on that boring stretch of highway (like many others) was leading to folks falling asleep a the lower speeds. Also, at 70- the drivers stayed more alert and less “bored”, and lulled into sleep.
I will grant that the average “American driver” is deplorable, and that is largely because we have terrible licensing laws that don’t require people to learn to DRIVE. Throw in cell phones, electronic detractions, suspensions and steering that take away all driver feel and feedback, and our cars are also less safe with regard to driver awareness. Airbags, crush zones, reduced weight (opposite of the “old philosophy”), improved interior design have made cars “safer”, especially AFTER the cell phone talking driver hits that solid immovable object!! Back to the “brake issue” and suspension, most Americans have NO IDEA what their cars WILL NOT DO, like well STOP! They should!
Fuel economy AND fun CAN be found in the same vehicle. Try a Tesla (electric Lotus actually), or a number of newer hybrid vehicles becoming available. I’d REALLY like to get my hands on the now prototype Porsche (forget the number) that has 560 horsepower, handling, AND gets a combined fuel mileage of 63 MPG!!
Crashes are worse at high speeds. Stands to reason, and it’s sustained by the evidence compiled by insurance companies (who are opposed to raising a West Texas highway limit to 95 mph).
i love it when non-trafic authorities chime in with their opinons and swear it’s true.
speed limits are safest when set at the speed that the 80th percentile drive at.
what is dangerous on the roads after drunks and distracted driving is the speed diferential between cars. setting speed limits at anything other than the 80th percentile CREATES higher differential speeds between vehicles and that causes accidents.
when you see speed limits set otherwise, it is usually political or for revenue, but accident rates go up.
is a crash at 80mph more severe than a crash at 30? it depends on what you hit and how you hit it. but if 80mph is the 80th percentile there will be fewer crashes.
as for brakes on cars not working and wearing away instantly at 80mph, you’re ignorant. come for a ride with me and i’ll teach you a few things about the quality of modern brakes, tires and suspension on a race track.
if the self-proclaimed safety nazi’s and engineers were correct, we’d all be driving at 15mph, and you sure won’t get any efficiencies there.
and i’d be dead along time ago, if any of what you slowpokes loudly and proudly proclaim were true.
Carolo1 about 13 years ago
The guy in the suv can afford it
Bluejayz about 13 years ago
Here’s a modest proposal: Starting at a fleet average of 20 mpg for current vehicles, reduce the speed limit to 55 mph and limit the size of all non-commercial vehicles to 3000 pounds. For every additional 5 mph of speed or extra 500 pounds of car, the fuel efficiency has to increase by 5 mile per gallon. The technology is out there; Big Oil is just colluding to keep it from us.
Dtroutma about 13 years ago
The 55 limit cost fuel, and lives. Longer travel times led to more accidents on limited access freeways. (more folks fell asleep) Modern cars are designed, gear ratios, transmission additional gears etc, and aerodynamics etc to get best mileage around 65-70. Hybrids get better city especially, and one Honda “pool” vehicle a few years ago was getting a consistent 53 mpg- even on longer trips because we live in hilly country. The newer ones aren’t doing as well, what’s up with THAT? yup, big oil.
Pearl Deans Premium Member about 13 years ago
take the bus carpool share cars take the train drive a smaller car choose conservation and fuel efficiency
DjGuardian about 13 years ago
That looks more like a Scion than an SUV.
^^ Not so true for my Chevy Uplander trout
DjGuardian about 13 years ago
^ you just took me back to my 5th grade science project on aerodynamics. …well, and to the Grand Turismo driving simulations, lol.
And there is a decent point about the speed limits as one looks at the deaths and severe caused by blown tires. Agreed, it’s typically large SUVs, but still.
The reality is when you raise the speed then you raise the danger and potential damage.
With that said, I like driving around 70 or so when I can, though I know it’s riskier and lessens my gas mileage. Hypocritical?
Dtroutma about 13 years ago
dj, does look like a Scion- no aero there.
Michael, my ‘67 Elan got over 30 mpg- around 34 at 70mph, then came the 55 limit and my mileage dropped to around 18- gear ratios, the vehicle has outstanding aero, and little drag, and only weighs 1280 pounds, 4 cylinders Webber high efficiency carbs. My friend’s 2008 Corvette gets a consistent 34 miles per gallon on the highway- fun does NOT need to equal inefficient- big pig vehicles DO equal inefficient.
At 180-220 mph, downforce might be needed, and is generated by aero, at 70-100 mph- on highways- totally insignificant. As to break PADS- what are you driving that still has “shoes”? The tires on my RAV are rated at 130 mph for eight hours, others are rated even higher. My Lotus will stop faster from 100mph than a (same year) Corvette from 55. My RAV will also stop very quickly, from 100 mph- I’ve checked, and neither disk rotors or pads will “explode”.
Do you drive a Jeep?? Yugo?
California Highway Patrol noted that especially on I-5 between Los Angeles and San Francisco turnoff, the single vehicle late hour accidents increased some 40% after the 55 limit went in, and begged to have it reversed. The added DRIVE TIME on that boring stretch of highway (like many others) was leading to folks falling asleep a the lower speeds. Also, at 70- the drivers stayed more alert and less “bored”, and lulled into sleep.
I will grant that the average “American driver” is deplorable, and that is largely because we have terrible licensing laws that don’t require people to learn to DRIVE. Throw in cell phones, electronic detractions, suspensions and steering that take away all driver feel and feedback, and our cars are also less safe with regard to driver awareness. Airbags, crush zones, reduced weight (opposite of the “old philosophy”), improved interior design have made cars “safer”, especially AFTER the cell phone talking driver hits that solid immovable object!! Back to the “brake issue” and suspension, most Americans have NO IDEA what their cars WILL NOT DO, like well STOP! They should!
Fuel economy AND fun CAN be found in the same vehicle. Try a Tesla (electric Lotus actually), or a number of newer hybrid vehicles becoming available. I’d REALLY like to get my hands on the now prototype Porsche (forget the number) that has 560 horsepower, handling, AND gets a combined fuel mileage of 63 MPG!!
Nope, no Scion or Honda Element, thank you.
ARodney about 13 years ago
Crashes are worse at high speeds. Stands to reason, and it’s sustained by the evidence compiled by insurance companies (who are opposed to raising a West Texas highway limit to 95 mph).
dannysixpack about 13 years ago
i love it when non-trafic authorities chime in with their opinons and swear it’s true.
speed limits are safest when set at the speed that the 80th percentile drive at.
what is dangerous on the roads after drunks and distracted driving is the speed diferential between cars. setting speed limits at anything other than the 80th percentile CREATES higher differential speeds between vehicles and that causes accidents.
when you see speed limits set otherwise, it is usually political or for revenue, but accident rates go up.
is a crash at 80mph more severe than a crash at 30? it depends on what you hit and how you hit it. but if 80mph is the 80th percentile there will be fewer crashes.
as for brakes on cars not working and wearing away instantly at 80mph, you’re ignorant. come for a ride with me and i’ll teach you a few things about the quality of modern brakes, tires and suspension on a race track.
if the self-proclaimed safety nazi’s and engineers were correct, we’d all be driving at 15mph, and you sure won’t get any efficiencies there.
and i’d be dead along time ago, if any of what you slowpokes loudly and proudly proclaim were true.