WESTSIDE — With gas prices beginning to soar up near the $4 mark, some may again begin promoting the return of a nationwide 55 mile per hour speed limit because of the fuel savings which accompany driving a bit slower, and I wouldn't be adverse to it.

According to some studies, for every mile per hour over 55, fuel economy drops by one percent. At speeds over 65, fuel economy falls at an even faster pace. Well, that can add up to a lot of fuel saved when a person considers the number of cars on the road in the U.S. and the number of highway miles driven. A 10 percent fuel savings for the driver who slows from 65-plus to around 55 mph can add up to a lot of money saved at the gas pumps, too, over the course of a few months or a year.

There’s also the argument of the old slogan: “55 saves lives.” And I expect it’s true since I’ve seen first-hand too many times the tragic results of people driving a bit too fast. Slower speeds allow drivers more time to see what’s going on around them and more time to react when something does pop up in the roadway ahead.

While some may already be disgusted with me for even suggesting reduced speed limits again, I would welcome the reduction in speed, but not just for the economic reasons mentioned above.

You see, even where the speed limit is 65 or 70 miles per hour, I tend to cruise along at 55 or 60. Everyone is pulling up on my rear bumper and then zipping past me at the first opportunity, whether safe or not, and giving me dirty looks as they fly by.

When I drive, I like to look at the scenery along the road; and it’s just not safe to count the deer or watch other animals off in the fields and pastures whenyou’re barreling along at 65 or more. It makes driving so much more enjoyable if a fellow is able to look at the crops and check out what other people are doing along the way. And, if I meander a bit too far and drop a wheel off the shoulder, it’s so much safer at slower speeds.

Mrs. Griz often points out that I tend to slow down a bit too soon when coming to a town with a reduced speed limit. It could be because of the years I spent driving a truck where I needed that extra slowing distance, or it could be that I don’t want to waste gas or abuse my brake pads when I can just let my little car coast into town and arrive at an appropriate velocity when I pass that reduced speed limit sign so as to never touch my brakes.Those who pass me during my descent in speed may get to the stop light first, but I often coast in right beside them in the slow lane.

I even figured out that the person who passes me at the beginning of my 16 mile trip to the office, going 60 or 65 when I’m putting along at 55 or so, can't save much more than a minute by being in a hurry. When you compare his minute gained to that 5 percent loss in fuel economy - plus even more for slowing down behind me and then stomping on it to get past me and on down the road - being in a rush just doesn't pay.

There are times, too, when I’ve been cruising down the highway right on the speed limit mark - and I’ve checked it for accuracy with a watch - and someone will come barreling upbehind me and drive right on my rear bumper for a few miles with this steamed look on his face because I won’t speed up. Then when we meet that patrol car running radar, I feel like the tailgater ought to thank me for saving him $200 or so in fines and court costs. Of course, no one’s thanked me yet or sent me half the money they saved because of me.

And so you see, I wouldn’t mind at all if they decided to lower the speed limit back down to 55 again. It might even save me a few dirty looks and get me a little closer to going with the flow.

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be reached by e-mail at rmoll@nwaonline .com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 05/04/2011