William Northrop and researchers find that adhering to speed limits can save U.S. drivers millions of dollars in daily fuel costs.
William Northrop, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Minnesota, co-authored a study showing that drivers can save significant money and fuel by adhering to posted speed limits. The research, published in the journal Communications Sustainability, analyzed 120 million vehicle trips across the United States. The study found that if drivers of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles drove at or below the speed limit, the country could save approximately $26 million and 7.2 million gallons of fuel every day. While many motorists believe speeding saves time, the data shows that driving at the limit only adds about 54 seconds to an average daily commute of 28.6 miles. The findings are particularly relevant as gas prices remain high due to the war in Iran. By slowing down, drivers can improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions without a significant sacrifice in travel time. Experts noted that while these savings represent a small fraction of total daily gasoline consumption, the change is a "freebie" that costs nothing to implement.