This may sound crazy, but once upon a time, during another oil crisis, a Republican president suggested that this country might want to conserve. In fact, one of the conservation measures he pushed for and won was a reduction in the speed limit to 55 miles per hour.
Sometime later for reasons too many to name — most of which can be simply filed under one or more of the seven deadly sins — the laws changed and we now race around in powerful cars that do 80 just swell. So much for conservation.
Now, with conservation all the rage (witness this week’s purported demise of GM’s Hummer line) there is serious study afoot to return to those less speedy days of yesteryear.
It’s estimated that driving 55 instead of 75 reduces consumption by 25 percent. That’s a pretty big positive right off the bat. Considering the safety aspects of the move as well makes it even more tempting.
Gas prices already have more slowing down to conserve. We encourage everyone to consider doing so. And we encourage policy makers to consider again making it policy.