I also think gas mileage has a lot to do with gearing, because at 75-80 mph my Z28 turns about 2300-2500 rpm, which is where the engine is most efficient (able to make the most power with the least amount of fuel).

Another thing… I think I’m speaking for all the other gearheads out there- It doesn’t matter how much gas costs. I am still gonna drive my hotrod. My other camaro gets about 6mpg, runs on $8/gal LEADED gas, no overdrive, 4.11′s… and I would still drive it if gas was $50 a gallon

I’ve not seen any studies (though I’m sure they exist) on whether 55 m.p.h. saved lives so other than to point out that a vehicle going 65 m.p.h. has 40% more kinetic energy that that same vehicle has at 55 m.p.h. and that that energy gets turned into bent metal in a crash, I’ll remain silent.

I never intended to contended that driving 55 mph wouldn’t save gasoline. I was referring to the law when I wrote, “It’s WRONG- it’s wrong that 55 saves lives- it doesn’t. 55 doesn’t save gas, either. Double nickel was a failure of big government on every level.”

Changing the law did not then, and will not now save lives or gasoline– because it was, is, and will continue to be one of the most universally ignored laws ever passed.

To deny that is well…what you said.

If you object to lowering the speed limit to 55 m.p.h. on philosophical grounds, i.e., that people should be able to choose to go faster and get worse mileage if they’re willing to pay for the fuel, you have every right to hold that position.

But to contend the that 55 m.p.h. won’t save gas is either ignorant or disingenuous. Every reputable study by agencies both public and private that I’ve read (and I’ve read every one I could find) states the opposite. Common sense and the laws of physics deem the opposite. I can direct you to literally dozens of studies to show that if you like. I can walk you through the very simple physics if you would care to have me do that. Your wishing and stating with conviction that it won’t save gas won’t make it so.

41% said No, because it’s too slow for today’s highways + 9% said No, I support 55 mph, but not government involvement + 29% said No, we should only enforce current limits = 79% say NO.

This is just one more attempt by proponents of the nanny-State to control every aspect of our lives. It is an exercise in compliance with the unreasonable, and unjust enforcement so that when it comes to incrementally more intrusive and unjust laws we’ve already rehearsed compliance– because we’re already used to obeying. OBEY, OBEY, OBEY you cannot choose for yourself a safe and reasonable speed is the underlying presupposition.

It’s WRONG- it’s wrong that 55 saves lives- it doesn’t. 55 doesn’t save gas, either. Double nickel was a failure of big government on every level.

The flip-side of people obeying every stupid law are laws so stupid nearly everyone disobeys– the first time around compliance with 55 mph was OPTIMISTICALLY estimated at 2%.

The problem with that is that it breeds contempt for ALL laws, thus undermining the rule of law and weakening social order.

In short- if you research it intelligently with an open mind and look carefully at the actual RESULTS of the failed experiment with 55 mph speed limits and IGNORE the claims of what it will do– you’ll find it is a terrible idea.

Secondly, 55 is way too slow for today’s cars and roads. If anything the speed limit needs to be raised!