At the speed of right

Jan. 1, 2020
For those of you who think it's your God-given right to drive what you want, when you want, where you want and as fast as you want, this would be the time to get your thesaurus out to find every name in the book that you want to call me. At the risk
For those of you who think it's your God-given right to drive what you want, when you want, where you want and as fast as you want, this would be the time to get your thesaurus out to find every name in the book that you want to call me. At the risk of being called a threat to the American way of life, I am asking this industry to actively support a review of the most efficient speed limit. And if the outcome of such a review is to roll back the speed limit to 55 mph, then so be it.

The emotions about this issue run so high that I anticipate page rage from some of you, especially the vigilante consumers and groups who scour Web sites for divisive issues. But isn't it strange that we Americans will complain incessantly about the cost of gas while we speed down the highway knowing full well that the faster we go, the more fuel we will burn?

Based on the latest available data, Patricia Monahan, deputy director of clean vehicles for the Union of Concerned Scientists, says most cars get their best gas mileage between 45 and 55 mph. For every mile per hour faster than 55 mph, fuel economy drops by about 1 percent, and the drop-off increases at a greater rate after 65 mph. Interestingly, hybrid vehicles that average around 38 miles per gallon can reach 50 mpg when traveling at 55 mph. Take the speed to 65 mph and the mpg drops to the low 30s.

Even with that kind of evidence, I will hedge a little (very little) because 1997 was the last time the effect of speed on fuel efficiency for vehicles other than hybrids was studied by the U.S. Department of Transportation. However, my guess is that for the majority of the the vehicle fleet, any new efficiency findings will mirror past findings. Where we might see some better fuel efficiency by driving at slightly higher speeds would be in high-end models that feature the latest technologies such as electronic fuel management and five- and six-speed transmissions. If we could only get people to buy more BMWs and Lexus vehicles.

You probably have noticed that neither the courageous members of the administration or Congress are lining up to roll back the speed limit.The one exception is Sen. John Warner, R-Va., who recently asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to study the issue. Not to discount his sincerity, but he does retire at the end of his rapidly-ending term. That's kind of like getting religion on your deathbed. But no matter his motive, it's refreshing to see a politician leap into what can only become a raging controversy.

Face it. We're in a crisis that is not magically going to right itself. Most of what we can do as individual motorists is beyond our control other than to drive more fuel efficient vehicles, drive fewer miles and drive at slower speeds. Americans are already dumping their big vehicles for smaller ones, as well as driving fewer miles. What we aren't doing is slowing down. Without a legislated lower speed limit, it is likely we never will on our own.

Sen. Warner says that when the national 55 mph speed limit (imposed by President Nixon) was in effect from 1974 to 1995, 167,000 barrels of oil were saved every day. Since there are millions more vehicles on the road today, that number now would be substantially higher.

Our motive as an industry does not have to be pure and noble. Bottom line is that we need people driving. And if they slowed down, they are going to save money. And if they save what will amount to several hundred dollars over the course of a year, they just might put it towards taking the trip they thought they couldn't afford.

If you can't get over the thought of slowing down yourself or being on the unpopular side of this issue, then try to get some solace in this: during the the previous mandated 55 mph speed limit period, it is estimated that 84,000 people (4,000 a year) were saved simply by driving slower. That alone makes lowering the speed limit the right thing to do. Doesn't it?

Larry Silvey, a 25-year veteran of the automotive aftermarket, is editor-in-chief of Aftermarket Business and editorial director for the Advanstar Automotive Group, which consists of Aftermarket Business, Motor Age, ABRN and Styling and Performance.

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