Is it time to drive 55?

I like to drive fast, and I'm human, so I don't like to sacrifice. Who does? But isn't it time for politicians to stop pandering with ridiculous ideas like a federal gas-tax holiday and talk about measures that would lead to real fuel conservation instead of increased consumption?

Well, I guess not, because it isn't happening. Instead, we're being exhorted to take our rebate checks and start consuming again. No sacrifice required.

Not much would save more gas faster -- and perhaps put some downward price pressure on the oil companies and suppliers -- than all of us cutting our average driving speed.

Check out this San Francisco Chronicle story from 2005 -- when gas was "only" about $3 a gallon in Frisco. By driving 55 mph instead of 70 mph in a Chevy Malibu on an interstate trip, gas mileage improved by 10 mpg. That was about a $5 savings in gas just for that trip and two gallons less of gas. Imagine the impact of millions of motorists behaving that way.

Meanwhile, I'm trying (honest) to adjust my driving habits to go a bit slower and make fewer fast stops and starts. But I'm not going to dramatically reduce my speed if everyone else is whizzing past me, probably tailgating or flipping a finger in many cases as they do so. If 55 is too slow, how about 60? (That means most of us will be driving 65 anyway.)

Shouldn't we at least be talking about this stuff? There is no pain-free way out of this mess.