Ok, so the whole country is screwed because we are depending on foreign oil, I searched the internet last night and I now know the answer. By simply slowing down when you drive, you are going to save money three different ways:
-better gas mileage
-less tickets
-decrease oil consumption and therefore lower fuel costs
If we start drilling in ANWR and off the coast of Florida and other states we aren't going to see the benefits of that until at best 10 years. Who knows how long it will take to really see the benefit of alternate energy sources lowering gas prices. There is a way to decrease nationwide consumption almost over night, and that is reduce speed limits. You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.30 per gallon for gas assuming that gas costs $4 per gallon (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml).
My theory:
It is going to be very hard to change all the speed limit signs, but everyone drives 15 to 20 over the speed limit anyway. So I think enforcement is going to become very strict and people are going to start getting pulled much more often. Note also that the state just increased speeding fines last week. The other part to this theory is that gas for police cars is getting expensive, so they are going to start implementing more of those camera deals that take a picture of you when you are speeding.
Next time you go on a trip drive a little slower. On a 500 mile trip you could easily save $50 bucks and only lose an hour or so of drive time. $50 bucks an hour isn't bad. Plus you might save yourself a speeding ticket. Plus, if you could get a couple hundred million other people doing it maybe we could stop paying so much for gas. Win - Win - Win.
Also, it's probably safer to get in a wreck going the speed limit rather than 15 over it.
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Did you know that when Richard Nixon was president they did just that, reduced the speed limits to 55? Yes, and no one liked it very much. It seems people are willing to pay if they are in a hurry. These same people may not comprehend the environmental issues. Also the right turn on red law was enacted to hlep save gas too. Shorty and I just went to Beaufort and drove the speed limit the entire way (that was slowing down 5 MPH for us). We got 33 mph in my accord. There is also a law about not being able to pull a car if it is going only 5 mph over the speed limit. Is that FL or US?
Right now, I do not think our governement will enact any laws to help the environment. It is up to us as indivduals to do the stuff we need to do. WE cannot wait for legislation. My generation and the one before mine warned that what's happening now would happen if we were not careful. Our current presidnet tried to deny and cover it up. Jimmy Carter, the president who got all the grief, actually role modeled conservation by using an economy car while in office and not having the fancy State diners and banquets. He was criticized for these actions because heads of state are suppose to exercise decorum..
Our nation must change its attitude. We are our nation.
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