Las Vegas Sun

May 15, 2008

Letter to the editor:

55-mph speed limit will save gas, money

David Wheeless, Las Vegas

Thu, May 8, 2008 (2:01 a.m.)

The proposed “gas tax holiday” from two of our presidential candidates fails to meet or solve any of the problems associated with the $3.62 gas prices of today. The problem is national in scope; the proposals are a short-term fix and contribute to inflation and high food prices.

My solution addresses all of these problems and will produce a minimum 10 percent reduction in the consumption of gasoline and produce a reduction of consumption for as long as required. It will also result in an increased supply of gasoline that will bring down the prices we pay today.

Very simply, my solution is for Congress to declare that effective next week, the speed limit on all roads federal highways, state highways, county and city roads shall be 55 miles per hour. The penalty for violations of this law shall be $100 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense and $2,500 for all subsequent violations.

The total contribution is shared equally by all citizens, and all citizens will share in the benefits of this program. It is a simple solution, easy to implement and fair to all. It is time to stop the bickering and make it happen.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

  1. By Teaser
    5/8/08 at 6:22 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    I agree, but I doubt it will happen. People seem more eager anymore to rip up Alaskan wilderness than to be personally inconvenienced.

  2. By HelenWeils
    5/8/08 at 8:21 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Carter was voted out years ago. Get over it.

  3. By cdornsife
    5/8/08 at 10:11 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    The premise "55-mph speed limit will save gas, money" is akin to someone using slogans to reincarnate the flat earth society. Simply stated, the 55 mph didn't save lives or fuel last time, why would it now? It surely won't solve our energy problems.

    Those nations that are self sufficient in energy also have the strongest economies. What we’re suffering from is a delusional belief that we can solve our energy and environmental problems by devaluing the dollar and printing more money to ship offshore buy energy.

    There is only one solution to our energy crisis. We must become self-sufficient! We need to green-light oil production in US territories, liquefied coal conversion, solar, alternative fuels, and more efficient vehicles and technologies. ALL! While we’re attaining energy self-sufficiency, we can simultaneously work to improve processes, cost, the environment and carbon footprints, too.

    Changing the speed limit does not address the core problem. In fact, the rule of unintended consequences for this remedy has been studied, and is a known. It didn't work, nor can it! This proposal, when taken in context of all the factors, would have the opposite effect.

    Most people act in a reasonable and responsible manner; whereas, government runs on revenue and empire building… not rational thought. The last NMSL created a monster US agency of Public Myth and Propaganda AKA NHTSA, along with a parasite legacy of law enforcement, courts etc that continues today. Clearly at the expense of safety and due process. Expanding this entitlement access to your wallet is not an energy policy.

    To reduce fuel consumption you need to optimize and reduce flow friction. Slowing traffic in urban areas causes reductions in roadway capacity and service levels. In terms of carbon footprint, how much energy is consumed by the reduced capacity, stop and go traffic jams etc, if you could actually get traffic to slow?

    On rural roads what is the real cost of the few gallons saved, if the trucker, business man, traveler et al now has to spend 5 days on the road to accomplish what he used to do in 4. Besides the lost productivity, what does it cost in energy to staff hotels, restaurants, and to get their staff to work or the supplies delivered.

    Transportation infrastructure, energy use, the ability to live and pay for these systems, and to do it safely is a process, not a slogan.

    We can improve commerce and our economy, save lives, reduce energy consumption and improve the environment when those in charge are interested in the best interest of "We the People". Therein lies the true problem.

    Speed limits are a red herring. Per a conversation with my senator's (Harry Reid) transportation staff member… none of the groups that come to see him say this. Precisely, all levels of Washington DC is run by self interest, not "We the People"!

    Chad Dornsife, Executive Director
    Best Highway Safety Practices Institute

  4. By JohnF
    5/8/08 at 10:52 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Mr. Dornsife,

    Thanks for telling me what the people stand for. Now I won't have to chime in.

    You speak for your group, not all of us, and I'm betting you're serving your own self-interest as well.

  5. By cdornsife
    5/8/08 at 1:23 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    Our own self interest? Yes! We are a non profit demanding our laws be based solely on empirical findings that have been fully vetted. There are protocols to test new thesis, but in all cases once the finding are known, public policy should reflect the actual findings.

    Our group is made up entirely by those who donate their time. We have no paid positions or advocates.

  6. By Scott
    5/9/08 at 9:19 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    First, how do you know that your idea would save 10 percent of fuel?

    Vegas has lots of stop and go driving and your idea would only apply to traffic on freeways.

    Rural areas with speed limits of 50 would see NO savings using your half-baked idea.

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Tracy Lawrence

Tracy Lawrence

With special guest Randy Houser ( House of Blues)