By: Vivian Tilley

Vivian Tilley — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:38:30 +0000

I just sent a comment about the 55 MPH speed limits instituted in the US to save gasoline. In high school physic ou teachers taught that as you go faster the car encounters greater resistence, and the energy requirements increase to propel the car forward. Going slower is safer and more fuel efficient.
In the US speed limit is figured out by the respective local, state and national Departments of Tranportation and posted. That is sufficient to safely operate the automobile through any terrain. This is posted for free and motorists are expected to obey the law and drive within the limit,if you go above the speed limit and are caught by the police you are most often fined.Insurance costs, etcetera rise if you have tickets for speeding.
Having a prompt inside the vehicle telling you the local speed limit might be handy as sometimes the speed limit goes down markedly and you can get nicked for a ticket when passing through unfamiliar venues. I think some cars here already have these features.
To require expensive equipment is not desireable. The signs are clearly posted, and some drivers may want to save money and just keep their eyes on the road.
The States need to keep speed limits lower to increase fuel efficiency. The early 1970′s era of President Richard Nixon lowered the mph on national highways in the initial response to OPEC. Since then the MPH has edged upward. Due to the steep rise in oil prices last year and to concerns about carbon in the atmosphere, people are once again calling for lower MPH requirements.
This is a personal comment and observation. Thank you.

Comments on: Is speed the key to slashing emissions?

By: Vivian Tilley