Federal speed limit would force savings

A moratorium on the 18-cent-per-gallon federal gas tax has been proposed to stimulate the economy. However, a tiny bit of analysis shows this to be a very poor solution, not nearly effective as reinstating the 55 mph federal speed limit.

A vehicle getting 20 miles per gallon and traveling 2,000 miles per month would save $18 per month, or $54 over three months — enough for one tank of gas.

If you drive at 55 mph instead of 70, you increase your fuel efficiency by 20 percent. Instead of using 100 gallons of gas per month you would use 80, saving $80 per months at a price of $4 per gallon. That’s $240 in three months.

So what is better for America and its residents?

Daniel Burnett