Rising gas prices have kept some Virginians closer to home this Independence Day weekend. The national average for a gallon of unleaded is $4.10.

On Thursday, Virginia Senator John Warner asked Congress to consider lowering the national speed limit to 55 miles per hour in an effort to lower fuel prices. According to the U-S Department of Energy's website, for every 5 miles per hour over 60 you drive... it's like paying an extra $0.30 a gallon.

 

 

The speed limit on much of Interstate 81 is 65 miles per hour.

Jimmie Anthony, Martinsville, Virginia - "I think 65 is fine."

Wayne Kimball, New York Resident - "I've been going 65-70."

But talk about Warner's idea of slowing it down to 55... like here on I-581 in Roanoke... and many people get revved up.

Comfort Gang, Maryland Resident - "It doesn't make any sense."

Dennis Gang, Maryland Resident - "It's not practical at all!"

Daniel Lovelace, Trucker - "No... it's not a good idea."

Daniel Lovelace drives a truck for a living. He says slowing things down to 55 would not be cost effective for him.

Daniel Lovelace, Trucker - "The heavier the load, the more fuel you burn and the slower you run pulling that (especially on the upgrade) burns that much more fuel. So it actually would cost more if you turned the speed limit down."

Some drivers feel they have a better solution...

 

D. Gang - "There are more practical things that can be done. For example, forcing the car manufacturing companies to improve the gas mileage."

Tim Simpson, Maryland Resident - "I think we need to drill for oil in this country and get ourselves off foreign oil."

But a few we talked to, like the Anthonys from Martinsville, aren't completely opposed to Warner's idea.

 Frances Anthony, Martinsville, Virginia - "I'm sure a lot of us would gripe and grumble, because it would take us longer to get there. But overall, it would save lives and probably save some money."

But whether slowing down on the interstate will slow things down at the gas pump remains to be seen.

You may remember, in 19-74, Congress set a national 55 mile per hour speed limit because of energy shortages caused by the Arab oil embargo. That was repealed in 1995 when gasoline cost just $1.10 a gallon.