To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
DRIVE GREEN: DEMAND 55 MPH NATIONAL SPEED LIMIT
A car's gas mileage decreases once it gets past its optimal speed. For most cars, this is around 50-60 mph. This means that every time you go over this speed, you're essentially wasting gas and money - and sharply increasing your GHG output.
A slight decrease in your highway driving speed will significantly reduce GHG emissions, while minimally effecting your travel time.
According to the department of energy, the average car will attain its posted mileage at 55 mph. As the speed increases:
- 3% less efficient at 60 mph
- 8% less efficient at 65 mph
- 17% less efficient at 70 mph
- 23% less efficient at 75 mph
- 28% less efficient at 80 mph
Reducing the speed from 65-75 MPH to 50-55MPH can reduce GHG output by 25-30%
A slight decrease in your highway driving speed will significantly reduce GHG emissions, while minimally effecting your travel time.
According to the department of energy, the average car will attain its posted mileage at 55 mph. As the speed increases:
- 3% less efficient at 60 mph
- 8% less efficient at 65 mph
- 17% less efficient at 70 mph
- 23% less efficient at 75 mph
- 28% less efficient at 80 mph
Reducing the speed from 65-75 MPH to 50-55MPH can reduce GHG output by 25-30%
Why is this important?
The cheapest, easiest, and most immediate way to drastically reduce greenhouse and other toxic emissions gases is to drive slower. If the US lowered the speed limit to 55MPH, we would see an immediate reduction of emissions by 20-30%. Lower speed limits also save the average driver over $500/year, and sharply increases highway safety and reduces fatalities. Persons in a car driving 75MPH are 500% more likely to be fatally injured in a collision than at 60MPH. Save money, save lives, save the planet!