Press, Radio and TV
GOOD.IS You Can Drive 55 Print E-mail
Wednesday, 27 January 2010

How a national speed limit could improve our lives.

The first automotive speed limit in the United States was enacted in 1901, when the state of Connecticut declared it illegal to drive faster than 12 miles per hour on its highways. The first speeding ticket, one must imagine, followed only shortly thereafter. We freewheeling Americans don’t cotton to the idea of limits, as anyone who has ever tried to actually drive 55 miles per hour on an interstate can attest.

But the latest case for driving the posted speed limit, and lowering that speed limit altogether, is not about safety (though even a rudimentary understanding of physics would support that argument). Rather, it’s about saving money and reducing carbon emissions. A car’s gas mileage peaks at speeds around 40 miles per hour (depending on the car), and then decreases rapidly. This is because air resistance increases exponentially as a car goes faster. At high speeds, a car’s engine is using the majority of its energy simply to overcome that resistance—rather than accelerating—which wastes fuel.

This revelation isn’t new. A 1974 law instituted a national speed limit of 55 miles per hour (a compromise between efficiency and speed). But as the oil crisis abated, the law was amended to 65 miles per hour in 1987 and finally repealed entirely in 1995, ceding the power to set speed limits back to the states. Now, many states have speed limits that exceed 70 miles per hour on interstates, and some stretches in Texas and Utah have limits as high as 80.

Article continues in the GOOD.IS/The Slow Issue

 
Final Casting Call for Drive 55 Documentary Print E-mail
Friday, 31 July 2009
We are looking for everyday people for The Drive 55 Conservation Project Documentary.  This documentary will be submitted to the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival held in Nevada City, CA.  We want to interview people that are passionate about "Observing All Speed Limits and Never Exceeding 55 mph".  We are also interested in people who oppose this concept.

The interview would be for approximately an hour in or around Sacramento or the Bay Area.  We are looking for people who are articulate and knowledgeable on the Drive 55 subject.  Please briefly tell us about yourself (background, job, current location etc.). Interviews will occur through the end of August. Thanks! Please respond to Ryan Little via email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
The Drive 55 Conservation Project Documentary Casting Call Print E-mail
Tuesday, 14 July 2009

We are looking for enthusiastic "characters" for The Drive 55 Conservation Project Documentary.  This documentary will be submitted to the Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival held in Nevada City, CA.  It is for a great cause and it is volunteers like you that are making this happen. We want to interview people that are passionate about "Observing All Speed Limits and Never Exceeding 55 mph".

The interview would take place in the interviewee's car for approximately an hour in or around Sacramento or the Bay Area.  We are looking for people who are articulate, knowledgeable on the Drive 55 subject, upbeat, comfortable in front of a camera and if at all possible, funny.  Please send a picture and tell us about yourself (background, job, current location etc.) and why you think you would make for the perfect interviewee that is passionate about the Drive 55 Conservation Project.  Interviews will occur from July 18-30th.
Thanks!
Please respond to Ryan Little via email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
WISC-TV News Interview Print E-mail
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Group Tries To Slow Drivers Down To 55 MPH
Campaign Says Driving Slower Can Cut Energy Use

MADISON, Wis. -- A campaign to slow drivers down to 55 miles an hour is gaining momentum. VIDEO: Watch The Report The goal of the campaign isn't to change speed limit laws but rather to educate drivers about how they can save energy and money by slowing down.Tim Castleman is the driving force behind Drive 55.org.He said that he believes that if everyone traveled 55 mph, energy use could be cut by at least 20 percent and maybe up to 50 percent."This is something every single one of us can do without sacrificing anything," said Castleman. "Just lighten up, turn the lead in your right foot into gold in your pocket."

Read the rest of this report at Channel3000.com  

 
Greg Knapp RadioAmerica.org interview Print E-mail
Tuesday, 19 August 2008

The Greg Knapp Experience airs live Monday through Friday from 3-6 PM EST
Download: Radio interview by Greg Knapp, about 10 mins. mp3.

 
Chris Baker KTLK FM Radio Print E-mail
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
This live radio interview by Chris Baker on KTLK FM radio in Minnesota lasted about ten minutes, followed by some great phone calls from listeners. Download: 41 minutes, 19 MB mp3 file .
 
Between The Lines radio interview Print E-mail
Friday, 18 July 2008
This regular half hour radio broadcast covers three stories in depth. In this edition the Drive 55 Conservation Project is the third topic. Download: 30 min 15 MB mp3
 
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