National Speed Limit

[GlynMeek]

I just read this online...

"Senator John Warner (R-VA) - elected in 1978 - recently expressed interest in the idea of a national speed limit to conserve gasoline. Warner, who is not running for re-election this year, wrote to U.S. Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman, asking "at what speed is the typical vehicle traveling on America's highways today most fuel efficient?"

Warner told TIME his concern is for "the many millions and millions [of Americans] of limited means, sitting around their kitchen table trying to figure out how to make ends meet." Unlike long-term alternative energy sources, Warner says, a speed limit would work to bring down gas prices immediately. "Maybe some guy's got a better idea," he says. "But I haven't seen it."

The National Maximum Speed Limit of 55 mph was created in 1974, when Richard Nixon signed the Emergency Energy Highway Conservation Act. Prior to that, states had been free to set their own speed limits, but the new law threatened to strip Federal highway funding from any state straying above the national standard. The ostensible purpose of this limit was to keep down gas prices, which had been driven through the roof by an OPEC embargo touched off by the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. And with gas-prices once again sky-high, Warner isn't alone in talking up a cap on speeding.

Jackie Speier, a first-term Democratic congresswoman from California, is already on the case. Earlier this month, she introduced a bill that would cap highway speed limits at 60 mph - 65 in rural areas. It's currently awaiting a hearing before the House Committee on Transportation. Warner says he hasn't contacted Speier, but adds that he'd be willing to "stroll out on the floor" in favor of a speed-limit bill. He has yet to propose a similar bill in the Senate."

With Republicans AND Democrats, and with the House AND Senate in on this one, we are ALL doomed and we can't even blame the other side...LOL

Glyn

[392cobra]

Glyn,
Why don't they just tell the people with "limited means" to slow down while on the highway to save themselves a couple dollars ?

And leave everybody else the h*ll alone.

[Seagull81]

"Let's all jump on the band wagon". That's all those politicians do anymore. Heck, here in Texas no one drives the speed limit anyway. What you think will save money on gas will cost you in speeding tickets when you don't. Looks like more speed traps in the making. Like we don't have enough around here now.
Steve

[4into4]

Agreed Fred. If someone chooses to go slow, they can. They need to obey those signs that say " Slower traffic keep right " so that they're not in the way.

[brobehr]

Cleverly disguised revenue enhancement...oops i mean saving lives of course... : )

brobehr

[Smokingcobra2]

Here in ct they now let local police keep part of the ticket revenue. GuESS what--- more tickets are being issued-I WONDER WHY- just wait till they lower the limits.
joeg

[tcrist]

Originally Posted by 4into4

Agreed Fred. If someone chooses to go slow, they can. They need to obey those signs that say " Slower traffic keep right " so that they're not in the way.

I agree to the slower traffic staying to the right. But If I am doing the speed limit in the fast lane, why should I have to pull over and let someone speeding pass me. They are driving illegally.
Note: I almost always move to the right. The only time that I do not is when someone runs up my a$$ and tailgates. Then they can kiss my a$$. If I choose to run under the speed limit (which is a lot of the time), I always stay in the slow lane.

Terry

[Bob In Ct]

Since 1972 my daily driver has been a 4 cylinder (high mpg) econo-box. This has saved me and the world a significant amount of gasoline. It has also allowed me to drive higher speeds and greater distances without going broke. Now some AH in congress figures it's my fault that the country uses too much gasoline. It's not my fault that the rank and file driver chooses to get 14 MPH. As far as I'm concerned everyone got what they deserved. The same lawmakers that fought the CAFE standards now want me to slow down. They can all go to hell.

Bob

[Rich A]

They need to obey those signs that say "Slower traffic keep right" so that they're not in the way.

So True.

But If I am doing the speed limit in the fast lane, why should I have to pull over and let someone speeding pass me. They are driving illegally.

In certain areas if you don't pull over you will end up with bullet holes in your car. It easier just to move over before you start road rage.


People look in your rear view mirror once in a while, the mirror is there not only for backing up and putting on make up!

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by tcrist

I agree to the slower traffic staying to the right. But If I am doing the speed limit in the fast lane, why should I have to pull over and let someone speeding pass me. They are driving illegally.
Note: I almost always move to the right. The only time that I do not is when someone runs up my a$$ and tailgates. Then they can kiss my a$$. If I choose to run under the speed limit (which is a lot of the time), I always stay in the slow lane.

Terry

Because you are breaking the law.The left lane is a passing lane ONLY.It is not supposed to be a"travel lane".And again,if you impede traffic,regardless of speed,YOU are the violator.

[RalphSchmalph]

Terry,
I'm surprised to hear a Cobra owner say he stays in the "passing lane" to spite those who want to pass! You are forcing faster drivers to pass you on the right which as you know is a dangerous maneuver. Please re-consider your position and try not to control the behavior of other motorists by preventing them from passing you on the left.

[HI Cobra]

Hawaii is about the worst state I have driven in for doing just that - people
cruising under the speed limit in the left lane - everyone just passes on
the right. It is a treat for me to drive on the mainland where it seems most
do stay in the right lane if they are going slower.

[Barnsnake]

It's "Slower Traffic Keep Right", not "Below the speed limit keep right".

On a freeway the key to safe and efficient traffic flow is to drive with the flow of traffic. If the flow is too fast for you, move to the right lane. If it's still too fast for you, get on the access road. If there's no access road, there's a secondary road that will get to your destination. In my opinion, "Squatting" in the left lane should be a capital offence, or at least grounds for license suspension.

You should NEVER be the original cause of anyone applying the brakes on a freeway.

[tcrist]

I should have stated that this is in my daily driving, not in the Cobra. Although that really should not matter. Anyway, I am not saying that the slower traffic should not stay right. What I am saying is, if I am driving the speed limit, why should I have to pull over for some a$$ that wants to drive 20 mph over the speed limit and instead of holding back at a distance until the driver in front of him gets into the other lane. They pull within 2ft at 65 MPH. That is just as wrong as staying in the fast lane. I am not saying that I am right, but either are they. .
Barnsnake, What if I am driving with the flow of traffic and some a$$ runs up on me and stays 2ft off of my bumper. I was told by a police officer once that if you feel uncomfortable about the distance someone is from your rear bumper to tap the breaks to let them know.

Anyone want to get started on the motercycle lane sharing crap. I have road motorcycles all of my life. I have never had the need or want to pass someone in the same lane doing 65-70 mph. This is at least a Calif thing. I dont know about anywhere else.

Terry

[HI Cobra]

I am always watching my rear view mirror and if I see someone coming at
me when I am passing someone I just get out of the way and let them by
before they get to me - that way they can run point for me for the radar
around the next curve. You start playing with the brakes with some of the
locals here you may end up in the hospital - not fair, granted but that's the
way it is. True aloha spirit!

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by tcrist

I should have stated that this is in my daily driving, not in the Cobra. Although that really should not matter. Anyway, I am not saying that the slower traffic should not stay right. What I am saying is, if I am driving the speed limit, why should I have to pull over for some a$$ that wants to drive 20 mph over the speed limit and instead of holding back at a distance until the driver in front of him gets into the other lane. They pull within 2ft at 65 MPH. That is just as wrong as staying in the fast lane. I am not saying that I am right, but either are they. .
Barnsnake, What if I am driving with the flow of traffic and some a$$ runs up on me and stays 2ft off of my bumper. I was told by a police officer once that if you feel uncomfortable about the distance someone is from your rear bumper to tap the breaks to let them know.

Anyone want to get started on the motercycle lane sharing crap. I have road motorcycles all of my life. I have never had the need or want to pass someone in the same lane doing 65-70 mph. This is at least a Calif thing. I dont know about anywhere else.

Terry

Since I drive up the 99 through your neck of the woods all the time, now I know who one of the %#@*&(*)s is who sits in the freeking left lane and won't move their ass over cuz they think they have the right to slow down the rest of the planet. I don't pull up close to anyone...I'm the a$$hole flashing my lights about a half mile back. If you don't move over...

...I will be the SOB in the black Vette who will pass you on the right, get in front of you and slow down to about 40 mph just to let you know how it feels when someone else thinks they should impose their own brand of what's right on you. I take that time out my my day just to teach folks one at a time about road manners.

And yes, I do that regularly...it's my gift to mankind.

You're slowing down the rotation of the earth.

[tcrist]

Bring it on up Jamo. I'll laugh at you while your blood pressure rises.

Terry

[Bob In Ct]

Everyone has their own comfort level when it comes to the speed of a car. Most consider those going faster to be maniacs and those going slower to be a hazard. When my son was getting his license I explained to him that no matter how fast he was going in the far left lane if someone was coming up on him he should let them by. Let's let the staties worry about who is speeding.

Bob

[Ron61]

Try driving slow in Europe in the outer lanes and see what it costs you. I don't care if there is no speed limit on the section of the Autobahn you are on and you are doing 100 MPH, when you pass any cars you are passing you had better get your butt back into the right hand lane. And that crap goes on up here in I-5 all the time. We have 3 lanes and they will all be backed up by some IDIOTS in the two outer lanes driving along passing no one and mostly well under the speed limit but making sure they are right next to each other and an 18 wheeler so no one can pass them. Then if they mess up and there is an opening as soon as a vehicle starts to pass they will speed up. California without doubt has the supedist and rudest drivers in the country.

Ron

[poseur]

Thankfully, here in Va. we have a law that addresses "left lane bandits" who think they have the right to enforce the speed laws and cause so much road rage and traffic disruption. But, I'm embarrassed that our Sen. Warner wants to bring back the 55 mph national speed limit...a "feel_good" but impractical approach that further stresses time pressed motorists who are driving modern cars on modern roads at their comfort level.

The National Motorists Assn. (www.motorists.org) is the one group that was instrumental in repealing the pox of the previous NMSL.

I recommend that every Club Cobra member join this group. Check out their website!