Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - No need to lower speed limit

No need to lower speed limit

Jun 15, 2008 - 04:06:16 CDT

"Post my face wanted dead or alive ... Take my license, all that jive ... I can't drive 55!"

The year was 1984. "I Can't Drive 55" was Sammy Hagar's biggest hit before he joined the mega-band Van Halen. He was upset with efforts to lower the speed limit and he found significant support.

Years later, once the speed limit had risen in some states to 75 mph, talk returned about a reduction to 65 mph. Hagar's answer was to cut a 2001 version of his hit titled "I Can't Drive 65." Again, he received support.

That might now become a sort of national anthem as talk has bubbled up across the nation, in response to costly crude, to reduce the speed limit.

The North Dakota Motor Carriers Association has joined a national effort to reduce the speed limit to 65 mph, to save gasoline, fossil resources and money, improve the environment through a reduction of potentially harmful emissions, and improve safety.

All of that sounds great, but speed limit regulation is only a piecemeal approach to a concern that needs much more thought in forming a national environmental and energy policy.

Speed limit regulation might make more sense as part of an overall strategy, but will make little if any significant difference alone; the talk of reduction is a knee-jerk overreaction.

Government regulation often seems a good idea, but can have bad effects. People don't like to be told what they can or can't do, especially when something is being taken away that they previously "owned."

The personal choice argument has been used in situations of regulation in the past. In other words, it is my choice if I want to wear a motorcycle helmet or not. But regulators claim those who don't wear helmets can contribute to the rising cost of health care should they not have insurance, or adequate coverage, and are injured when a helmet would have prevented an injury and uncovered medical costs.

But then arguments can be made for or against just about anything.

Those against a speed-limit reduction claim it isn't needed and is costly. They say drivers already have the option to drive slower - at 65 mph - if they are so inclined, and that we don't need no stinkin' government intervention.

We agree.

Rock on, Sammy.

News > Opinion

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Comments

Alan wrote on Jun 17, 2008 4:47 AM:

" Your editorial board is to be commended for sticking up for reasonable speed limits. Everyone seems to have forgotten the fact when repealing the National Maximum Speed Limit Law was debated in 1995, its defenders relied on alleged safety benefits not fuel conservation. This was not due to the relatively low price of fuel at the time. Rather, the 55 (later 55/65) speed limit was (and would be) an extremely ineffective way to save fuel. Economist Charles Lave wrote in 1978:
"[E]ven the most optimistic government estimates say [the lower limit] saves only about 1 to 2 per cent of our gasoline consumption. This is an effect so trivial that we can do as well by switching to radial tires, or by checking spark plugs at more regular intervals or by keeping our tires at the proper pressure." (Newsweek, 110-23-78, Page 37) Although not apparent to many North Dakotans, most driving is done in metropolitan areas on streets and roads with speed limits lower than 55. Since the repeal of the NMSL was hardly the killer the safety establishment predicted it would be (6,000+ more lives lost per year), let's leave it alone.

P. S. Maybe there are owner-operators and small companies in the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association, but they are not in control. The true advocate for the trucker, the Owner-Operator Independent Driver's Association, strongly opposes any attempt to nationalize speed limits. "

Nodaki wrote on Jun 16, 2008 12:07 PM:

" Save gas drive 55...just stay in the right lane and don't push your beliefs on the rest of us. "

to Nodakman wrote on Jun 16, 2008 8:10 AM:

" Your statements are false. The North Dakota Motor Carriers Association membership is made up of carriers of all sizes, from one truck to over one hundred trucks. "

Nodakman wrote on Jun 15, 2008 9:50 PM:

" The fact that the Motor Carriers support this is a bit misleading. They represent the larger truck lines not the owner operator or the smaller trucking companies. If the big companies want to slow their trucks down they can allready do that if they wish. But to assume that the Motor carriers represent all trucks on the road is not the case. "

.Timo wrote on Jun 15, 2008 9:50 PM:

" Very irresponsible editorial/opinion. You seem to be thinking in local/state terms when you state that it would make little difference. It's a national/world issue, and yes it wwould make differnce. It's not just a few driver going max speeds of 70 and 75, it seems to be 95% of drivers....last 10 years full tilt and no concern for fuel cost. As previous reply liste....feel more comfy fitting in with faster traffic.
To note that ...hard to 'take away a right' is irrelevant. Times change and needs change. Spoiled americans think they have an 'entitlement'. Look around the world...we are gas hogs thinking we have a right to this 'entitlement'. Irresponsibel news story. You should be helping to educate and get people thinking about change. SMH "

LL wrote on Jun 15, 2008 7:43 AM:

" Once again, The Bismarck Tribune has taken the low road. A reduction in speed does reduce the amount of gasoline an internal combustion engine uses. Yes, I can drive at 65 or 55 mph on highways but with some citizens driving at 70 or 75 mph or more, dont you think that would be a little dangerous? Dont you think that if we all worked together we could get through this problem? Recently I was shopping in one of our Big Box stores. I was wearing a political button on my jacket and the checkout clerk, an elderly lady asked, Has he solved the problem yet? At first I thought she was referring to his opponent. No she was talking about the rising gasoline prices. I commented that cheap gasoline is a thing of the past and prices would continue to rise. She got a worried look on her face and asked what are people like me to do; I cant afford the gasoline or a new car (I had mentioned I drive a Prius hybrid and the price of gasoline has had little effect on my driving habits). I felt sorry for her and wished I had not said some of the factual things I had said, as she could have been my mother. Bismarck Tribune dont you think it is time we all pulled together, instead of being self-centered individuals? "

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