Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Utah DoT admits higher speed limits has worked out to less speeding]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-utah-dot-admits-higher-speed-limits-has-worked-out-to-le/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-utah-dot-admits-higher-speed-limits-has-worked-out-to-le/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-utah-dot-admits-higher-speed-limits-has-worked-out-to-le/#commentsFiled under:



When the Utah DOT raised the speed limit on two pieces of I-15 from 75 mph to 80 mph, it discovered that driving habits didn't change. When the limit was 75 mph, the Utah DoT found that drivers were going between 81 and 85 mph. And now that the maximum limit is 80 mph, it has found that drivers are going between 83 and 85 mph.

You can look at that as less speeding, as the UDoT has, or simply the fact that people didn't automatically start going 10 mph over the limit, having found a speed that satisfies 85% of them. This shouldn't be that surprising - even when Montana had stretches of highway with unlimited speeds, it was only a few folks, mostly out-of-staters, that raced at max velocity. And most folks on unlimited sections of the Autobahn aren't even going 150 mph.

According to the Deseret News, a UDoT official said that accidents haven't increased, either, nor did they expect an increase in fender benders. What he said has increased, though, is speed differential, which we don't quite understand. Apparently, the difference between the fastest and slowest vehicles has widened. We can only imagine he was speaking of the 2 mph difference between the slightly higher lower average speed of 83 mph vs the 81 mph from before. Even though one Utah legislator wasn't happy about the increased limit, saying speed kills, the proof appears to be... well, not necessarily.

[Source: Deseret News | Image: Ken Lund via CC2.0]

REPORT: Utah DoT admits higher speed limits has worked out to less speeding originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>governmentlegalspeed limitspeedingSpeedLimitutahutah department of transportationutah dotUtahDepartmentOfTransportationUtahDotTue, 27 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Bill to limit Canadian cars to 93 mph seems stuck in neutral]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/19/bill-to-limit-canadian-cars-to-93-mph-seems-stuck-in-neutral/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/19/bill-to-limit-canadian-cars-to-93-mph-seems-stuck-in-neutral/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/19/bill-to-limit-canadian-cars-to-93-mph-seems-stuck-in-neutral/#commentsFiled under: ,

When it comes to cars, they do things a bit differently in Canada. While our neighbor to the north has long been considered more progressive than the U.S., it was the United States that introduced pollution controls, and until recently, Canada never actually had any rules requiring them. The same goes for fuel efficiency standards. A couple of years ago, the government of Ontario passed a law that could result in automatic confiscation of your car if you exceeded a speed limit by more than 50 km/h (31 mph). This was done to attack the problem of street racing.

Member of parliament Jim Karygiannis apparently wants to make sure no one gets their car confiscated by making it impossible to drive that fast. Back in February, Karygiannis introduced a bill that, if passed, would make it illegal to sell, import, build or even loan a vehicle to someone unless said ride is fitted with a speed limiter restricting its maximum velocity to no more than 150 km/h, or 93 mph. So far, the bill has not proceeded past first reading, and it hasn't even gone to committee -- good news for Canadian drivers, to be sure. Frankly, there doesn't appear to be any widespread support for Jim Karygiannis's meddlesome legislation. Karygiannis actually introduced a similar bill during the previous parliamentary session, but that one never got past first reading, either. Maybe he should have taken the hint back then. Thanks to Steve for the tip!

[Source: Parliament of Canada]

Bill to limit Canadian cars to 93 mph seems stuck in neutral originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canadacanada speed limiterCanadaSpeedLimiterjim KarygiannisJimKarygiannisspeed limitspeed limiterspeed limitersspeed limitsSpeedLimitSpeedLimiterSpeedLimitersSpeedLimitsSat, 19 Sep 2009 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[STUDY: Raising national speed limit has resulted in 12,500 deaths ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/study-raising-national-speed-limit-has-resulted-in-12-500-death/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/study-raising-national-speed-limit-has-resulted-in-12-500-death/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/20/study-raising-national-speed-limit-has-resulted-in-12-500-death/#commentsFiled under: ,



In 1995, highway speed limits increased from a nation-wide 55 mph to 65, 70 or 75 mph, depending on the state, and most Americans were thrilled. The obvious benefit of the change was people could legally get to where they wanted to go, but according to a new study, the downside has been an alarming increase in accidents and deaths.

The University of Illinois School of Public Health studied accidents from 1995 to 2005 to determine the impact on the speed increase on accidents. The study examined deaths and injuries in fatal car crashes on rural interstate highways, urban interstates and non-interstate road, and found the speed increase resulted in 2,545 deaths and an additional 36,582 injuries.

All told, the study found that deaths and injuries increased by 3.2% over the ten-year period, while rural road deaths increased by an alarming 9.1%. Lead researcher Lee S. Friedman says the easy way to solve the increases in deaths and injuries would be to drop the speed limit back to 55 mph, adding "Researchers have demonstrated that lower travel speeds and death tolls usually follow lowering of speed limits, and higher travel speeds and death tolls follow increases in speed limits."

Naturally, Friedman points out that the drop in speed would result in decreased fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gasses as well. Studies show that decreased speeds lead to higher volume capacity on freeways as well, as drivers require less distance between vehicles to safely drive.

Not all agree with Friedman's hypothesis, though. Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, says that while deaths will decrease with a lower speed limit, it'd also gum up everyone's schedule. Others point out that the bulk of the added deaths happened in areas where limits are 70 and 75 mph, and where the limits were 65, the impact was far less severe.

[Source: US News | Image Source: Ian Waldie/Getty]

STUDY: Raising national speed limit has resulted in 12,500 deaths originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>55 mph55Mph65 mph65Mphcrashcrash deathsCrashDeathsfatalitiessafetyspeed limitSpeedLimitMon, 20 Jul 2009 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[UK tests 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' tech that automatically regulates vehicle speeds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/15/uk-tests-intelligent-speed-adaptation-tech-that-automatically/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/15/uk-tests-intelligent-speed-adaptation-tech-that-automatically/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/15/uk-tests-intelligent-speed-adaptation-tech-that-automatically/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Transport for London plans to begin a six-month trial of a new technology that will artificially limit the top speeds of taxis, buses and government fleet vehicles. Called Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA), the system will keep track of speed limits all over London and prevent operators from accelerating past that legal limit. The device is capable of slowing the vehicle down regardless of the driver's wishes.

Alternatively, the system can be switched into an advisory mode that simply informs the driver when the speed limit has been reached. If these tests prove successful, it's likely that the ISA technology will be made available within the next 12 months to private motorists who wish to limit the top speed of their personal vehicles. So far, there's no indication that the government will mandate the use of the ISA system.

It's hoped that a large number of drivers will choose to equip their vehicles with the ISA technology. Transport for London believes that both accidents and road congestion would be drastically reduced, which would also have the desirable effect of reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

View Poll



[Source: Transport for London | Image: Edward Barnieh Photography]

Continue reading UK tests 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' tech that automatically regulates vehicle speeds

UK tests 'Intelligent Speed Adaptation' tech that automatically regulates vehicle speeds originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 May 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>intelligent speed adaptationintelligent speed limiterIntelligentSpeedAdaptationIntelligentSpeedLimiterspeed limitspeed limiterspeed limiter englandspeed limiter ukspeed limitersspeed limitsSpeedLimitSpeedLimiterSpeedLimiterEnglandSpeedLimitersSpeedLimiterUkSpeedLimitsFri, 15 May 2009 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[German Chancellor says NO to more autobahn speed limits]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/29/germans-chancellor-says-no-to-more-autobahn-speed-limits/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/29/germans-chancellor-says-no-to-more-autobahn-speed-limits/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/29/germans-chancellor-says-no-to-more-autobahn-speed-limits/#commentsFiled under: ,

Autobahn SignIt looks like Germany's autobahn system is safe from a potential increase of speed-limited areas, for now at least. As posted on numerous occasions, environmentalists, the European Union and even citizens of Germany have called for the adaptation of 80 mph (130 km/h) limits in the currently ungoverned sections. However, today the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, publicly rejected a proposal aimed at reducing automotive emissions through autobahn speed regulations. Thankfully, Mrs. Merkel is a logical woman as she stressed that traffic jams caused by slow vehicles contribute as much greenhouse gas as a few speedsters. She offered better traffic management as a more effective solution to the Autobahn issue. Now, if only Angela Merkel could bring her ideas over to California.

[Source: Piston Heads]

German Chancellor says NO to more autobahn speed limits originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Angela MerkelAngelaMerkelAutobahnGerman ChancellorGermanChancellorGermanySpeed LimitSpeedLimitMon, 29 Oct 2007 18:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe considering ban of cars capable of more than 101 mph]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/07/europe-considering-ban-of-cars-capable-of-more-than-101-mph/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/07/europe-considering-ban-of-cars-capable-of-more-than-101-mph/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/07/europe-considering-ban-of-cars-capable-of-more-than-101-mph/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Autocar is reporting that the European Parliament will consider a proposal this fall to ban all cars capable of reaching speeds over 101 mph. The proposal can be traced back to a man named Chris Davies, a Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parlaiment for the North West of England. Davies argues (try not to laugh while reading his words) that "between 1994 and 2004 the power of new cars went up by 28 per cent, making them a lot heavier, and so increasing the amount of CO2 they put out, even though no country raised its speed limit to allow cars to use this increased power."

The logic is so flawed here, we don't know where to begin. According to Davies, giving a car more power makes it heavier, thus increasing the amount of CO2 it emits. First of all, cars are heavier these days primarily because most developed nations, Europe and the United States included, have federally mandated that cars be made safer, and to achieve this, manufacturers have had to design new safety systems that add weight to cars. Things like airbags, crumple zones, side-impact bars, and the like are the primary reason cars have gotten heavier. While enlarging the displacement of an engine, switching from four to six cylinders or adding a supercharger could make a car heavier while giving it more oomph, more power for its own sake is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for a car gaining weight.

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading Europe considering ban of cars capable of more than 101 mph

Europe considering ban of cars capable of more than 101 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>101 mph101Mphbanchris daviesChrisDavieseuropean parlaimentEuropeanParlaimentlib demLibDemliberal democratLiberalDemocratMEPspeed limitSpeedLimitThu, 07 Jun 2007 20:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Aw Snap! Poll reveals most Germans want speed limit on Autobahn]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/aw-snap-poll-reveals-most-germans-want-speed-limit-on-autobahn/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/aw-snap-poll-reveals-most-germans-want-speed-limit-on-autobahn/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/aw-snap-poll-reveals-most-germans-want-speed-limit-on-autobahn/#commentsFiled under:



Three days ago we scoffed at an EU official's suggestion that a speed limit should be applied to the remaining sections of Germany's famous Autobahn that remain free to speed. While reports indicated that speed-loving Germans were up in arms over the idea, a recent poll shows that two in three believe a speed limit should be instituted. Whaa? Conducted by ZDF television, the poll showed that 54% of those surveyed favor an 80 mph speed limit, while 10% would like a limit even lower. There were still around 35% of the respondents, which would thankfully include German Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee if he were polled, who don't want a speed limit at all.

The controversy over speed limits on the Autobahn stems from suggestions that an over excited right foot leads to lots of wasted energy, which obviously ain't too good for the environment. Interestingly, the survey also showed that 56% of those polled think flights should be taxed more because of their negative impact on the environment. Yeah, that's right! Cap our cars, we'll tax your planes!

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Aw Snap! Poll reveals most Germans want speed limit on Autobahn originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobahnEUEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionpollspeed limitspeed limitsSpeedLimitSpeedLimitssurveyFri, 16 Mar 2007 15:32:00 EST<![CDATA[EU wants to cap speeds on Autobahn]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/13/eu-wants-to-cap-speeds-on-autobahn/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/13/eu-wants-to-cap-speeds-on-autobahn/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/13/eu-wants-to-cap-speeds-on-autobahn/#commentsFiled under: ,



Say it ain't so. An EU official has gone on record suggesting that Germans should give up their beloved freedom to speed on stretches of the country's famed Autobahn in deference to the EU's more aggressive climate change policy. Reports from Germany are that the nation's people find the suggestion ludicrous, farcical and a downright threat to their freedom. The popular German slogan "free driving for free citizens" has been ringing out on internet sites collecting reactions to the proposal.

It certainly doesn't sound as if capping the speed limit across the Autobahn is going to happen, but nevertheless a debate has begun about what many consider to be a waste of fuel and needless emissions created by blasts down the Autobahn. While it's tough to argue that most people travelling at triple digit speeds aren't doing it just for fun, instituting a general speed limit based on the argument that energy is needlessly wasted strikes us a slippery slope. Formula 1, on those grounds, is a needless waste of energy, or at least one fans could forego. All motorsports, for that matter, could be targeted with this argument.

It seems to us that the proper way to address unlimited speed on the Autobahn and the extra emissions it creates are to encourage automakers and entrepenuers to develop high-performance sports cars that are also more environmentally friendly. Freedom not only includes the choice to drive fast, but also to do so in an environmentally responsible way if one's available.

[Source: Indystar]

EU wants to cap speeds on Autobahn originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2007 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobahncapEUEuropean UnionEuropeanUniongermanyspeed limitSpeedLimitTue, 13 Mar 2007 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Germany's open speed limits upheld]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/germanys-open-speed-limits-upheld/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/germanys-open-speed-limits-upheld/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/germanys-open-speed-limits-upheld/#commentsFiled under:

The days of unrestricted speeds on portions of Germany's autobahn may be numbered, but they will continue for at least the immediate future, thanks to their plucky Chancellor. The lucky souls who have a valid passport, a current license, a capable car and the will to challenge themselves will be able to do so without legal entanglements a bit longer.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel just added her support to legal measures that will help keep the country's autobahnen free of speed limits, Greenies be damned! OK, she didn't go that far, but Merkel's support was unflagging even against European Union criticism that Germany could do a little lot more in the fight against harmful automotive emissions. The unrestricted autobahn has been seen as a poster child for what's wrong with the automotive world by some environmentalists.

Follow the jump for the rest of the story.

[Source: Inside Line]

Continue reading Germany's open speed limits upheld

Germany's open speed limits upheld originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobahnChancellor Angela MerkelChancellorAngelaMerkelEuropean UnionEuropeanUnionspeed limitSpeedLimitStavros DimasStavrosDimasTue, 06 Feb 2007 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Speeding be gone! System monitors signs, alerts driver]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/speeding-be-gone-system-monitors-signs-alerts-driver/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/speeding-be-gone-system-monitors-signs-alerts-driver/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/16/speeding-be-gone-system-monitors-signs-alerts-driver/#commentsFiled under: ,




Big Brother is slowly moving behind the wheel of our cars and we appear to be only a few short steps away from losing control of our driving all together. There are groups of respected motorists who have advocated abolishing speed limits all together, insisting that traffic speeds are self-regulating and better controlled by nature and natural selection. But there are definitely times when we would gladly give up a tiny bit of control if it meant keeping traffic congestion from getting out of hand. Automated cars have been tested and with manual overrides can actually be pretty effective in certain situations. Buick's automated highway experiment a decade ago and the countless adaptive cruise control systems on the market today show how useful electronics can be for traffic flow and safety. And now we have a system developed by Siemens VDO that could potentially keep any car cruising along at the posted speed limit so drivers can concentrate on their cell phones well driving, like they should be. (Sarcasm, of course)

Siemens VDO has developed a Traffic Sign Recognition system that will alert drivers if they're driving too fast. A camera will monitor the road ahead for speed limits on traffic signs. As the camera recognizes posted speeds, the information is processed and the driver warned if they are speeding. Not much of a leap to envision this system automatically slowing you down if you don't do it yourself, or even never allowing the vehicle to exceed that posted limit.

If that sounds a bit scary, it probably should. And Siemens VDO predicts it might be here before you know it. Production of this speed monitor system could start in less than two years. A similar system for educational institutions has been under development for some time now, but Siemens sees the automotive industry as a larger force towards getting the system to market. We have as much respect for the law as the next Bullrunner driver, but there are clearly times when speeding can be necessary, such as accident avoidance or to outrun a dangerous situation. So hopefully the system can be configured to allow some variance or be overridden completely when necessary.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Speeding be gone! System monitors signs, alerts driver originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Oct 2006 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big brotherBigBrotherSiemens VDOSiemensVdospeed limitspeedingSpeedLimitMon, 16 Oct 2006 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Intelligent Speed Adaptation slams the brakes on speeding]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/device-slows-things-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/device-slows-things-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/15/device-slows-things-down/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) system uses a GPS and mapping system to determine where a vehicle is located and at what speed it's travelling. ISA, which was developed by the Motor Industry Research Association and backed with funds from the U.K. Department for Transport (DfT), was demonstrated last week using a motorcycle. When the driver exceeds the posted speed limit, he or she will receive a two beep warning. Once their speed is 5 mph over the limit, the vehicle seat vibrates as another warning. If the second warning is disregarded, ISA takes over and slows the vehicle until it's at or below the speed limit.

Critics point out the system does not take into account when drivers accelerate out of dangerous situations. Touché.

Related:
Cars obeying speed limit despite you

[Source: U.K. Times]

Intelligent Speed Adaptation slams the brakes on speeding originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Aug 2006 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Intelligent Speed AdaptationISAspeed limitSpeedLimitU.K.Tue, 15 Aug 2006 17:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Decling death rates due to safer vehicles, not better drivers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/12/decling-death-rates-due-to-safer-vehicles-not-better-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/12/decling-death-rates-due-to-safer-vehicles-not-better-drivers/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/12/decling-death-rates-due-to-safer-vehicles-not-better-drivers/#commentsFiled under:



The number of fatal crashes on U.S. roads have steadily declined over the last few decades and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that this has little do with a safer motoring public and more to do with safer vehicle design.

Their findings confirm what has been assumed for years, that as more safety equipment is added and eventually mandated, drivers who would have been killed years earlier in older models are now surviving with greater frequency.

The study also points to the lack of required seat belt usage in some states and the waning enforcement of DWI charges as worrisome developments. These concerns, coupled with speed limits that have steadily increased across the country, are providing the IIHS a bleak outlook on the future.

One glaring omission in the press release (printed after the jump) is the effect of driver training programs on new drivers and how further driver improvement is a necessity to decrease on-road fatalities.


Continue reading Decling death rates due to safer vehicles, not better drivers

Decling death rates due to safer vehicles, not better drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Aug 2006 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crashesDUIDWIIIHSinsurance institute for highway safetyInsuranceInstituteForHighwaySafetyseat beltsSeatBeltsspeed limitspeed limitsSpeedLimitSpeedLimitsSat, 12 Aug 2006 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Man attempts to change speed limit to get out of ticket]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/15/man-attempts-to-change-speed-limit-to-get-out-of-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/15/man-attempts-to-change-speed-limit-to-get-out-of-ticket/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/15/man-attempts-to-change-speed-limit-to-get-out-of-ticket/#commentsFiled under: ,



A too-clever motorist in the UK is staring at some jail time after concocting a sign-switching scheme to get out of a speeding ticket.

44-year-old John Hopwood apparently placed a stolen 40 mph speed limit sign over the 30 mph sign that he violated, then took a photo and brought it to court as proof of his innocence. Suffice it to say, it didn't work.

More details of Hopwood's shenanigans at the link.

[Source: UK Mirror]

Man attempts to change speed limit to get out of ticket originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>moving violationMovingViolationposted limitPostedLimitroad signRoadSignspeed limitspeedingSpeedLimitThu, 15 Jun 2006 19:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Hillary Clinton pushes for reinstatement of national 55 mph limit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/hillary-clinton-pushes-for-reinstatement-of-national-55-mph-limi/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/hillary-clinton-pushes-for-reinstatement-of-national-55-mph-limi/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/24/hillary-clinton-pushes-for-reinstatement-of-national-55-mph-limi/#commentsFiled under: ,

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, ex-First Lady and likely future presidential candidate threw out an odd legal suggestion to the National Press Club this week: a nationwide return to the double-nickel. According to Clinton, "The 55-mile speed limit really does lower gas usage. And wherever it can be required, and the people will accept it, we ought to do it..."

The announcement comes as a surprise, despite rising gas prices and increased pressure from environmentalists, as it is unlikely to prove popular with voters.Naturally, that's not the only automotive issue on her mind... among other four-wheeled initiatives, Clinton reported that she is pushing for 50 percent of America's gas stations to offer ethanol by 2015, with 100 percent by 2025.

Sammy Hagar was unavailable for comment.

[Sources: The New York Post; Wayne State University via Autolife]

Hillary Clinton pushes for reinstatement of national 55 mph limit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 May 2006 23:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>55 mph55Mphdouble-nickelDrive 55Drive55E85EthanolFlexible FuelFlexibleFuelSammy HagarSammyHagarspeed limitSpeedLimitVan HalenVanHalenWed, 24 May 2006 23:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #31]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/17/autoblog-podcast-31/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/17/autoblog-podcast-31/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/17/autoblog-podcast-31/#commentsFiled under: ,

We're back from a short hiatus and Chris is all rested up from his week+ long trip across the country working on this year's One Lap of America. He and I talk about the event and some interesting autos that showed up to compete in Brock's baby. We also reveal the deal on Jason Vines taking issue with us (i.e. me) questioning his moves as a PR man in a post that went live yesterday. You can check out that post here for some background. Finally, we give our take on a proposal in Texas to up the speed limit to 80 mph in some areas, and say our piece on the soon-to-be-departed Hummer H1 that General Motors has announced will be cancelled next month.

Get the podcast
[MP3] Listen to the show now.
[iTunes] Subscribe to the podcast directly in iTunes.
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[Vote] Vote for us in Podcast Alley!

Hosts
John Neff and Chris Paukert

Producer
John Neff

Length
37:09

Autoblog Podcast #31 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 May 2006 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Autoblog podcastAutoblogPodcastBrock YatesBrockYatesdodge challenger conceptDodgeChallengerConcepth1hummerhummer h1HummerH1one lap of americaOneLapOfAmericaspeed limitSpeedLimittexasWed, 17 May 2006 17:02:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #31Autoblot37:09Autoblog podcast; hummer h1; one lap of america; dodge challenger concept; texas; speed limit<![CDATA[Texas considering 80 mph speed limit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/south-texas-considering-80-mph-speed-limit/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/south-texas-considering-80-mph-speed-limit/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/16/south-texas-considering-80-mph-speed-limit/#commentsSomewhere, Sammy Hagar is smiling. Texas' Transportation Commision will consider raising the speed limit on Interstates 10 and 20 next week. The Texas Department of Transportation's proposal would bump the speed limit to 80 mph to better reflect the rate of speed that traffic presently travels at anyway. A survey of the West Texas roads found that 85 percent of drivers regularly travel at up to 79 mph.

Of course, the proposed change has environmentalists and road safety advocates audibly concerned, but advocates maintain that raising the legal limit will make the roadways safer by encouraging a more universal pace.

What do you think? Sound off in 'Comments.'

[Sources: Associated Press via Houston Chronicle; Motomania; Lyricsbox]

Texas considering 80 mph speed limit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 07:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>55 mph55Mph80 mph80MphD.O.T.double-nickelFuel EconomyFuelEconomyI can't Drive 55I-10I-20ICan'tDrive55Interstate 10Interstate 20Interstate10Interstate20posted limitPostedLimitroad safetyRoadSafetySafety AdvocatesSafetyAdvocatesSammy HagarSammyHagarSpeed LimitSpeedLimitTexas Department of TransportationTexasDepartmentOfTransportationTransportation CommissionTransportationCommissionVan HalenVanHalenWest TexasWestTexasTue, 16 May 2006 07:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Should consumers brace for a return to the double-nickel?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/04/should-consumers-brace-for-a-return-to-the-double-nickel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/04/should-consumers-brace-for-a-return-to-the-double-nickel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/04/should-consumers-brace-for-a-return-to-the-double-nickel/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Spurred by high fuel prices, New Jersey governor Jon Corzine has introduced a plan to decrease fuel prices that would bring back the 55 MPH speed limit. OK, so it's only a proposal, and it's only one state, but pundits suggest that something like this could spread like wildfire in today's current tinder-like political climate. (As evidence of how weird everything tends to get when prices at the pump jump up, note that Republicans are suggesting oil companies pay a windfall tax to support a $100 fuel rebate).

As The Auto Prophet points out, fuel prices haven't really resulted in people driving under the current speed limit, so such a move would seem to make little sense from a practical standpoint. Of course, cognitive reasoning rarely gets in the way of a successful career in politics, though.

Sammy Hagar could not be reached for comment.

[Source: The Daily Record]

Should consumers brace for a return to the double-nickel? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 May 2006 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>55 mph55MphCannonballdouble nickelfuel pricesFuelPricesgas taxJon CorzoneJonCorzoneSammy HagarSammyHagarspeed limitspeed limitsSpeedLimitThu, 04 May 2006 13:03:00 EST