Hot Topic: A national speed limit

Since 1995, when Congress scrapped the idea of a national speed limit, states have had the freedom to set their own regulations.

However, as panic about rising fuel prices sets in, the days of driving 65 mph on Wisconsin highways may be over.

Some lawmakers are taking cues from the 1970s, when a national fuel shortage prompted the government to enforce a national 55 mph speed limit. Supporters such as Sen. John Warner, R-Virginia, cite increased fuel economy and safety as their main motivations.

According to Warner, studies show that a 55 mph speed limit could save about 167 thousand barrels of oil each day. The United States Energy Department's Web site also notes that "gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60mph."

However, the American Heritage Foundation, a conservative think-tank, found that 12 years of 55 mph speed limits cut fuel consumption by just 1 percent. And countless blogs and news stories continue to question the effectiveness of a lower speed limit, noting that ever since Connecticut adopted the nation's first speed limit over a century ago people have been intent on ignoring it.

What do you think? Will people follow a 55 mph speed limit? Or is it simply too big of an adjustment? Take our poll on our MySpace homepage!