Warner Suggests National Speed Limit to Ease Fuel Prices

A bold idea to combat rising fuel prices, which would face the possibility of being dead on arrival, was suggested today by Senator Warner (R-VA). Could we see the return of a national speed limit? The Associated Press has the details: Sen. John Warner, R-Va., asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to look into what speed limit would provide optimum gasoline efficiency given current technology. He said he wants to know if the administration might support efforts in Congress to require a lower speed limit. Congress in 1974 set a national 55 mph speed limit because of energy shortages caused by the Arab oil embargo. The speed limit was repealed in 1995 when crude oil dipped to $17 a barrel and gasoline cost $1.10 a gallon. Warner cited studies that showed the 55 mph speed limit saved 167,000 barrels of oil a day, or 2 percent of... [read full story]