One of the brightest proposals to come out of Congress these days is a surprising but appropriate measure to return to the national speed limit for automobiles of 55 miles per hour — a limit that was invoked way back in the days of the energy crisis of the early 1970s.

To be sure, the proposal will have rough sledding, but it has everything going for it in this day of soaring gasoline prices on one hand and rising deaths and serious injuries in traffic across the nation on the other. Of course, the speedsters will oppose any such measure with all their might, but common sense should prevail.

It’s surprising that President Bush did not resort to a request for lowering the speed limit in his appeal for action to counter the rising gasoline prices. One would think such a move would be automatic, regardless of the pressure that might be applied by the gasoline and automobile industries.

Frankly, I would welcome a return to the 55 mph speed limit on the highways and roadways.

Speed belongs on the race track, not the city and rural roads. We have become a nation of speedsters, and it’s about time to restore some tranquility and safety to our transportation system.

Lowering the speed limit will automatically forestall the many tragedies that have occurred with the speed limit at 70. I’ve noticed fearfully the number of speed idiots who don’t stop at 70 but proceed at 75, 80, and even faster for the thrill of it. They are the demons who create havoc and death for those who try to drive lawfully.

In addition to a return to the 55 mph limit on the highways and roadways, there is another measure I would like to see reinstated permanently, a measure that would not only save precious lives and limbs but also relieve our fumbling traffic from getting any worse. It is a return to the day no one could obtain a driver’s license until he or she is 18.

These days, it has become automatic for 16-year-olds to demand a driver’s license. Along with that demand without fail goes the jalopy that goes with it — and thus the entry of still another driver and auto on our highways and roadways, to the consternation of the police and state patrols.

Youngsters below the age of 18 are still going to school, and they should be taking a bus or streetcar to school, just as I did and all my school friends did years ago. The creation of a whole new body of drivers 16 or 17 years old hit the bus and streetcar systems hard and began this crazy era of traffic jams in every city and town in America.

Yes, increased use of bicycles has helped somewhat, but it has been but a minor help in reducing the heavy traffic and the use of precious gasoline. All in all, I can see the common sense in a brand new transportation policy for America —- one that reduces the use and importance of cars on the roadways and brings a new development in the use of buses and streetcars.

If we don’t take action to cut the mania for speed on our roadways, we will see the day when America becomes one huge parking lot — and no one can succeed in getting from here to there.