Fast-climbing gas prices have an old idea finding new traction -- but not in Texas. U.S. Senator John Warner, R-Virginia, has written a letter asking the U.S. Energy Secretary whether a national speed limit would lower consumption enough to lower demand to lower gas prices.

"How many fewer barrels of petroleum a day would Americans consume?" Warner writes. "Is it reasonable to believe that there would be a reduction in the price at the pump?"

Governor Rick Perry, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst and U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn would all oppose a lowering of the national speed limit if the idea came to fruition.

They say the speed limit decisions should be left up to the states.

"The federal government has tried something like this in the past and it just didn’t work," said Cornyn spokesman Brian Walsh.

And Texas drivers said they were doubtful. 

"It's the stopping and going that does it. Not the speed limit. And traffic. And if traffic wasn't so heavy we'd save a lot of gas," said Brian May.