55 speed limit returns?

L.O. · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:56 am

Hey Folks!
Senator John Warner (R-Virginia) has proposed a return to a lowered national speed limit to supposedly save gas. If this passes will more restrictions on vehicle use follow?

If you want to contact the Senator to express your views on this, his address is 225 Russell Bldg. Washington D.C. 20510; phone is 202 224-2023 and fax is 202 224-6295.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:05 pm

I don't think there was any changes in laws the last time. There were fewer deaths on the road though. A 55MPH limit wouldn't really bother me any because usually I only go 60MPH. When it is a pain is when your going a long distance!

Terry

jeepkj02 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:15 pm

I think it is a good idea. Its amazing how many people I see driving driving way over the 70mph speed limit. I like to keep my hwy driving speed at 65mph. It's pretty dangerous to try driving anything under that.

Joe Jeeper · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:00 pm

I don't know why they have speed limits no-one in PA obeys them?

j1987 · **Joined:** Fri May 16, 2008 11:29 am **Posts:** 46

Joe Jeeper wrote:

I don't know why they have speed limits no-one in PA obeys them?

Thats for sure, i live in monroe county PA and i see people speed all the time, and its always the ones from NY and NJ who are tailgating you.

Guest · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:59 pm

L.O. wrote:

Hey Folks!
Senator John Warner (R-Virginia) has proposed a return to a lowered national speed limit to supposedly save gas. If this passes will more restrictions on vehicle use follow?

Great, now I won't be able to get ANYWHERE. They just repealed the federal 55 mph speed limit what, 10 years ago? Now they want to jump back into it.

ugh.

Good job on a revenue machine, though.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:07 pm

To bad the most of the vehicles built in the last 10 years were geared to get the best power and mpg's at 65-75mph.I know my KJ gets the best mpg's with the cruise set on 78mph,it falls flat on it's face if between 50-65mph,no power(to keep it in OD) and low mpg's,from the lack of low end torque.

It should be much better though after I get the 5.13 gears in it,then 50-65mph will be my sweet spot.

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 3:48 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

I know my KJ gets the best mpg's with the cruise set on 78mph,it falls flat on it's face if between 50-65mph,no power(to keep it in OD) and low mpg's,from the lack of low end torque.

Really? That is with 4.10 gears, right? What size tires do you have again, Troy?

My '07 Jetta gets its best mileage (33MPG) while cruising at 80MPH. If I can get my best out of the KJ at similar speeds I would be happy. Right now I am lucky to get 17MPG on the highway...

David Jr · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:26 pm

Joe Jeeper wrote:

I don't know why they have speed limits no-one in PA obeys them?

Since when has a steel sign prevented someone (like me) from doing 85 MPH between the Delaware River and Hershey, Pa. This is just for the sole purpose of making themselves look like they are doing something. :roll:

lfotto · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:09 pm

These politicians are idiots. I remember when they did it before and my mileage dropped from 36 to 24. I had a MG and I couldn't go into overdrive until I was over 60 or I put serious lug on the engine.

LIV42DY · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:56 pm

We have sections on the Jersey turnpike at 55 and people blow by me at 85-90 its amazing... and Pensy is the same way I usually stick to the road rules when ever I leave the state going to Pensy quite often no one there sticks to the limit either..Who knows, its up to the State Police to enforce it. We will see what comes out of it.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:28 pm

The national speed limit was pushed upon the states by big government. If the states did not enforce it to the satisfaction of the feds, the states were penalized by witholding federal highyway money. In the mid 80's Vermont had all of their highway funds pulled.

Some of the older guys might remember the billboards of the late 70's; it had a pic of the Ayatollah Khomeini and said "FIGHT BACK! DRIVE 55!"
These appeared during the Iran Hostage Crisis.

In the late 80's, Florida was threatened by the feds because stats showed 50% of the drivers were not obeying.

Big government is bad no matter if a Dem or Rep is running it.

Albert · **Posted:** Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:53 pm

I heard about that and I can just see the laws being changed again.........you know.....for the good of us maniac drivers to save us fuel money and cut down on accidents.

Anyway, I try to stay between 65-70 and in the right and middle lanes so I don't get run over. There is also a lot of deer around here. Most people are in the passing lane going at least 80. I see it every day.

InCommando · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:47 pm

Please remember that just because one of 535 congressman calls a press conference to say that they are proposing legislation it does not mean it will ever have an effect on any of us. Do you know how many bills are proposed each year vs. how many are adopted???

If you see a bill like this being taken up by committee, then you can start worrying a bit. Until then....

Comparing death rates from the mid-70's to now without considering miles travelled is a bit like saying fewer people died in airplane accidents in 1907 compared to today. And yes, 55 was a national speed limit by law.

Most speed limits are set artificially low for a number of reasons. Even so, people who clog traffic by driving too slow are more dangerous to others than people driving over the limits.

They could also save gas by mandating 49 cc scooters for everyone & the banning gas-guzzling RV's outright as they serve no legitimate transportation need for the vast majority of people. Banning ANY recreational driving would save gas. Does that mean we should do these things? Not to me.

My money, my gas. When the government or some prius-driving greenie starts paying for my jeep & gas, then maybe they should have some say in it. Until then ( censored for LOST ).

Richrail · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:20 pm

Yeah, before I could drive in Nevada the speed limit was Safe and Sane, then the 55 mph came in and Nevada got around it by giving an energy wasting fine if you went up to 70 mph but if you didn't go over 70 there was no reporting to your insurance. My mom drove a 59 Cad and she was amazed once when we were going to another small town 50 miles away some guy passed her

and she was doing 110 mph

. Those were the days.

QuestMan · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:11 pm

A: Air resistance is a square of the speed you are driving. Therefore, the drag at 70mph is twice what it is at 50.

B: When I was stock, I got 24 mph at 60mph. At 70, I got 21, and at 75 I got 19.

C: Mofified, I get 20 at 60, and it starts dropping dramatically once I pass 65........

Therefore, I go about 60, unless I really need to get somewhere. HOW anyone is getting BETTER in their KJ, modified, is a mystery to me, and I'd LOVE to figure out what's wrong with my Libby, that I'm not doing better myself. :shock:

(If they re-start the 55 thing, I'll deal...... :cry:

)

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:18 pm

Quote:

HOW anyone is getting BETTER in their KJ, modified, is a mystery to me, and I'd LOVE to figure out what's wrong with my Libby, that I'm not doing better myself.

Easy,since I'm always going a dang mountain here in CO the extra speed gives me the momentum to keep it in OD going up most hills,I get better mpg's at 2800 rpm's(78mph in OD) then 5000 rpm's(60mph'ish in second,2nd gear) :lol:

.

QuestMan · **Posted:** Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:34 pm

Quote:

Easy,since I'm always going a dang mountain here in CO the extra speed gives me the momentum to keep it in OD going up most hills,I get better mpg's at 2800 rpm's(78mph in OD) then 5000 rpm's(60mph'ish in second,2nd gear) .

I See...........said the blind man. :lol:

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Jul 06, 2008 1:42 am

That's why my KJ sits rear-high. I figure, if I'm always going downhill, I'll get better gas mileage!

(as he picked up his hammer and saw)

TDI4BY · **Joined:** Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:56 pm **Posts:** 644

My KJ doesn't even lock up in OD until 65mph.....

55 speed limit returns?

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