The gas-price solution no one wants: driving 55

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By PAUL WENSKE/McClatchy Newspapers

Jon Zehnder, 54, knows he’s a curiosity because, as his bumper sticker says, “I drive 55.”

“I like to drive fast, but I’m old enough to remember the energy crisis in the 1970s,” said Zehnder, a social worker who lives in Lindsborg, Kan. “And,” he added with a laugh, “I’m saving a butt load on gas.”

But even in a time of $4-a-gallon gas, the slow lane is lonely these days.

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(Jupiterimages)

(Jupiterimages)

For all the griping about spiking gas prices, there’s no clamor for the return of the little-lamented 55 mph speed limit of the ’70s and ’80s — though most agree it reduces consumption and saves money.

“It’s not that people haven’t thought of it — just no one is even close to discussing implementing it,” said Therese Langer, speaking for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. “It’s not high on anyone’s list.”

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that the cost of driving rises faster above 60 mph — adding nearly 20 cents per gallon for each additional 5 mph. The Alliance to Save Energy in Washington estimates that restricting speeds to 55 mph could reduce the use of oil imported from the Persian Gulf by up to 20 percent a day.

Even so, “there doesn’t appear to be any eagerness on Capitol Hill to revisit the issue,” said Ronnie Kweller of the alliance.

No, indeed. Paul Hesse, a spokesman for the U.S. Energy Information Administration, said his agency willingly would analyze the value of a 55 mph speed limit if asked by a member of Congress.

No one has asked.

In truth, the situation today is different, said Mike Right, spokesman for AAA. In the 1970s the crisis turned on shortages caused by the oil embargo and turbulence in Iran. Today, there are no shortages. Instead, Asian demand is causing prices to skyrocket.

“Back in the ’70s people were fearful they would get to a strange area, there wouldn’t be any gas, and they’d be stranded,” Right said. In contrast, today, higher prices seem more an irritant to commuters with busy lifestyles who want to arrive at work or play as fast as their wheels can take them.

“I don’t think the public is ready for those kinds of regulations imposed on their daily lives today,” Right said.

In the 1970s, life was slower. There were fewer interstates. In metro areas, people lived closer in, and most didn’t care if their cars got only 14 miles to the gallon. After all, gas cost less than 40 cents a gallon.

But then the Arab-Israeli conflict triggered the Arab oil embargo. World crude prices quadrupled (to $12 a barrel). Gas at the pump shot up to 55 cents per gallon.

When the shortages occurred, the government contributed to the long lines at the pump by reallocating supplies.

“That created a lot of problems,” said American Petroleum Institute economist Ron Planting. “It’s very hard for someone in Washington to figure out how much fuel every station in the country needs.”

Many Americans recall rationing based on whether a license plate ended in an odd or an even number.

But the most unpopular measure: Congress and President Richard Nixon imposed the 55 mph speed limit and made its adoption in every state a condition for highway funding.

In 1987 and 1988, Congress allowed states to raise speed limits to 65 mph on certain highways. And in 1995 the law was repealed. How much was saved has long been a matter of debate. But the episode raised awareness, at least temporarily.

Congress pressed automakers to increase fuel efficiency, and the average mileage nearly doubled, to 27.5 miles a gallon by 1987. Automakers also began to experiment with hybrids.

Even so, Americans fell in love with sport utility vehicles and big trucks — and fuel efficiency took a back seat again.

Earlier this month trucking giant Schneider National Inc. capped its drivers at 60 mph to save an estimated 3.8 million gallons of diesel fuel a year.

The American Trucking Association has called on other members to do the same.  

Recently a broad mix of business and consumer groups launched the Drive Smarter Challenge campaign, urging Americans to adopt more efficient driving habits.

Their Web site, www.drivesmarterchallenge.org, helps estimate the annual savings of using fuel-efficient practices.

“I’m not sure whether most people make the connection between how fast they drive and how much fuel they use,” said Deron Lovaas, the group’s vehicle director.

One person making that connection is Tim Castleman of Sacramento, Calif., who in 2002 started www.drive55.org, a Web site devoted specifically to the merits of slowing down. At first the site got only a trickle of curious visitors. Since the surge in gas prices, page hits have soared to more than 1,000 a day. Castleman said some visitors send him hateful e-mail. But others post favorable responses or buy a pro-55 bumper sticker.