By Dave Montgomery | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Is the double-nickel speed limit ready for a comeback?

Congress thus far has shown no movement toward resurrecting the 55-mph speed limit, but one of the Senate's senior members — Republican John Warner of Virginia — says it's time to start the conversation about an energy-saving national speed limit to help spare Americans from usurious fuel costs.

The 55-mph limit was imposed by federal law during the energy crisis of the mid-1970s, remained in effect for 20 years and ultimately was booted off the roadways by Congress in 1995 amid near-universal contempt among motorists.

Warner hasn't specified what a new limit should be, but he points out that Americans saved 167,000 barrels of petroleum a day when the 55-mph speed limit was in effect. He told fellow senators this week that he'll probably proceed with legislation after the Energy Department determines the most fuel-efficient speed limit for the nation's highways.

"We have to take the lead in Congress, and hopefully the president will join," Warner said on the Senate floor. "We have that duty."

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so the government wants to control how we spend our money. Hmmm. You see, there's no oil shortage like there was in 1970's, its just a price hike. There's no need for the government to step in and tell us how fast we should drive just because they want to see us save money. If an intelligent person knows that 55 will save him more gas than 65, then if money is his concern, he should drive 55. ITs not the government's job to change the laws to save people money that they can spend how they see fit.

That's NOT to say that changing the limit to 55 or 65 for the purposes of safety isn't a good reason. But with no true SHORTAGE, the government should stay the hell out of people's lives.

*sarcasm on*

But, lowering the speed limit will make the roads safer for EVERYONE. Lowering the speed limit will reduce overall consumption and therefore, prices, for EVERYONE!

So we should definitely do it NOW!!!

*sarcasm off*

** Sarcasm ON **

Maybe they could lower the speed limit to 55 MPH only until the oil from ANWR and off shore sources (next to the rigs from China) can start producing oil.

** Sarcasm OFF **

I am all for temperarily lowering the speed limit to 55. Not sure why they ever changed it except everyone is in such a hurry to get some where. I have been driving 55 when I go on the highway and have noticed a big difference in gas mileage. Oh the looks I get from people. The jestures I get from people. The speed around me in anger. And I can almost be positive these people driving so fast are also growling at the gas pumps. I don't mind the government saying how fast we can and can't drive. Just as they say how old a person can be to drive or what age they have to be to drink and on and on. I hope they temporarily go back to the 55. It only makes sense.