Should U.S. follow other countries in lowering speed limit to save gas

55 mph speed limit
Speed Limit Sign

Some are asking in light of recent gas prices, whether the US should follow other countries in lowering the national speed limit in the interest of lowering fuel-consumption. Spain is among the countries that lowered the speed limit.

A similar measure was implemented in 1974, whereby the national speed limit was 55 mph. The law however, was largely disregarded by drivers.

Spain dropped their speed limit from the equivalent of 75 mph – 68 mph, and expects to save 28.6 million barrels of oil, worth $3.2 billion per year. According to Fuel Economy.gov, “gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas.”

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Inside Line
Image Source: Exchange3D