July 14, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in the United States are against a proposal to establish a national speed limit of 55 miles per hour, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 59 per cent of respondents reject the idea, while 34 per cent support it.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most people in the United States are against a proposal to establish a national speed limit of 55 miles per hour, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 59 per cent of respondents reject the idea, while 34 per cent support it.

Additionally, 61 per cent of respondents doubt that having the maximum highway speed limit lowered to 55 miles per hour would reduce the price of gas and oil.

In 1974, federal lawmakers introduced a national speed limit of 55 miles per hour in order to deal with a gas shortage. According to official figures, drivers saved an average of 167,000 barrels of oil a day. The limit was scrapped in 1995.

Earlier this year, Republican Virginia senator John Warner asked current U.S. energy secretary Samuel Bodman to look into lowering the national speed limit as a way to save gas and possibly alleviate fuel prices. Warner declared: "Given the significant increase in the number of vehicles on America’s highway system from 1974 to 2008, one could assume that the amount of fuel that could be conserved today is far greater."

Polling Data

A proposal has been made to impose a nationwide maximum speed limit of 55 miles per hour. Do you favour or oppose this proposal?

Favour	34%
Oppose	59%
Not sure	7%

If the maximum highway speed limit was dropped to 55 miles per hour, would that reduce the price of gas and oil?

Yes	26%
No	61%
Not sure	13%

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American likely voters, conducted on Jul. 6, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.