Date: 2008-07-22 10:49 Subject: The 55 experiment Security: Public Current Mood: geriatric

Let me say this up front: I will never, ever, ever advocate for a return to the 55mph national speed limit. It was stupid the first time. It was the most widely ignored law since Prohibition, created a nation of scofflaws, and spawned an entire industry of products whose sole intent was to aid lawbreakers. The fuel savings were minimal, and "55 Saves Lives" was completely debunked. Never again.

But in the interest of science and $4/gallon gas, I'm trying an experiment: Under normal circumstances, a mixture of in-town driving and a 40-mile 287 and Garden State Parkway commute to work, which regularly entails sitting in massive traffic jams or rerouting on surface streets to avoid them, my car's trip computer reports average mileage of about 27mpg and an average speed of around 45mph. Typical traffic speeds on open highway are around 75-80mph, and I'm right with them. Typical speeds on 287 during the evening rush are about 75-80 feet per hour, and I'm right with them.

What happens if I change nothing about my driving except that I will not exceed 55mph, safety permitting?

So I filled up yesterday, reset the computer, and set off to work, taking up residence in that netherworld known as The Right Lane. I was able to set the cruise control even in traffic, because let's face it, there'd be nothing to slow down for. It's still pretty scary. I was tailgated (slipstreamed?) almost the entire time, but always at the head of a line of several cars who were making no effort to pass, even when the center and left lanes were wide open. A trend, perhaps?

Forget what some 55mph advocates tell you. You do NOT have time to admire the scenery. Your crawl drive is NOT more relaxing. You're still driving in traffic, and the speed differential between you and your center-lane neighbors is Autobahn-like. OTOH, I'm not getting high-beamed, honked at or flipped off, because I stay to the right, and if I have to move left (e.g., the lefthand exit 14 off 287), I match prevailing speed. The first day's result shows mileage hovering between 29 and 30. We'll see how the rest of the tank goes.

I'm also telecommuting two days a week, which is where the real, measurable savings are to be found.

From: redaragorn Date: 2008-07-22 03:28 pm (UTC) (Link)

And just let me add, having grown up and learned to drive in Jersey, that it is MUCH easier to stick to 55 in the traffic and (relatively) short driving distances than in the WIDE open west where there's a whole lotta nothing to speed past to get to where you really want to go.

At any rate, good luck on the experiment and keep us posted on how it works out. I'm curious myself.

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From: edhorch Date: 2008-07-22 03:49 pm (UTC) (Link)

I learned to drive in the midwest during the 55 years. We lived in Minneapolis and regularly drove to Des Moines to visit relatives. Going past the cornfields at 55 was torture, but they really enforced 55--my mom once got a ticket for 57 in the middle of nowhere, because they knew she wouldn't drive 150 miles to come to court to fight it.

It would have at least been more interesting to drive on the dirt roads that paralleled I-35 back in those days.

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From: eliseamelie Date: 2008-07-22 03:30 pm (UTC) (Link)

I tried going 65 on I-25 a few weeks ago, the speed limit is 75 but everyone goes 80 or more. I nearly caused accidents and got ran over. It did save gas so I'll do it on other highways, but never on I-25. I like being alive.

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From: edhorch Date: 2008-07-22 03:54 pm (UTC) (Link)

I was thinking about you when I was considering doing this, because Wyoming, Montana and Nevada were the most rebellious of the states when the NMSL was in effect.

Driving ten under makes me feel like a grandpa. Driving twenty under would make me feel like pavement.

NJ was the second to last state (Hawaii was last) to raise the speed limit. When they raised it from 55 to 65, average speeds went up about 4mph.

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From: mrsscheisskopf Date: 2008-07-22 03:48 pm (UTC) (Link)

a 40-mile 287 and Garden State Parkway commute to work

You have just described my vision of Hell.

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From: edhorch Date: 2008-07-22 04:01 pm (UTC) (Link)

I hate the drive, but it's to a good job that pays well, with a private window office and a door that closes, and two days a week my commute is less than twenty steps to my home office.

My vision of hell is commuting to Manhattan. There's no job I could do there that pays what it would take to get me to go there.

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From: hector31 Date: 2008-07-22 05:08 pm (UTC) (Link)

The speed limit in Michigan seems to be "as fast as you friggin' want" - at least on the highways. Watch out for those bumps and potholes, though. I guess it makes sense to allow fast driving since it's inevitable that you'll be forced down to 30 at some point (as the saying goes, "winter and construction"). If you drive 75-80 in the first or second lane, expect to be tailgated.

I've adjusted and it's sort of nice, but when I drive in different states, it takes me a while to downshift.

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From: edhorch Date: 2008-07-22 06:06 pm (UTC) (Link)

I suspect it's like that most places, laissez-faire except for some well-known speed traps.

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From: edhorch Date: 2008-07-22 10:49 pm (UTC) Re: hoops_mccan (Link)

Yesterday, it took me about six extra minutes to get home compared with other traffic-free days at normal speed. I suspect that overall, I might be looking at a "10% better mileage for 10% more time" sort of equation.

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