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pepper2000
Heavy Crude
Joined: Oct 15, 2004
Posts: 123
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 Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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| I wonder how many people are even aware of the fact that driving faster reduces gas mileage. My guess is that they don't even think about it. If you're fairly well off in America, gas prices aren't high enough to put a dent in your budget. |
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JLK
Heavy Crude
Joined: May 21, 2004
Posts: 198
Location: East Coast USA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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Speaking for myself, I think I'm neurologically wired to drive fast. There's nothing I can do about it.
I make up for it by taking mass transit to the office. 
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The truth that is suppressed by friends is the readiest weapon of the enemy.
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Jack
Dark Lord
Joined: Aug 11, 2004
Posts: 5123
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| Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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Once upon a time...long, long ago...I was hanging out with a friend in the state Highway Patrol. A vehicle came by, going far faster than the lawful limit.
When asked why, the motorist said, in all seriousness, that he was nearly out of gas and wanted to get to a filling station. My friend later said that this was not an uncommon reason.
So I suspect that people have the bizarre idea that if they go faster, they'll use less fuel.  |
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Grimnir
Intermediate Crude
Joined: Oct 04, 2004
Posts: 901
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Jack wrote: | | I suspect that people have the bizarre idea that if they go faster, they'll use less fuel. |
This is true to some extent. At a steady speed, most cars get maximum fuel efficiency at something like 45-55mph. Of course if you're in the city, all the accelerating and braking will cancel out the gains. |
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bentstrider
Heavy Crude
Joined: Oct 25, 2004
Posts: 378
Location: Southern California Desert
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| Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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Well, in this case, they should abolish the many weapons bans in California.
And also have a couple of "make my day" laws in place.
Although the only drawbacks I can think of are these.
Too many wrecked cars on the side of and in the road.
And the stench of the now "neutralized" fast-drivers.
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WebHubbleTelescope
Intermediate Crude
Joined: Jul 08, 2004
Posts: 911
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| Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2004 7:46 pm Post subject: Speeding |
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Links to some recent stories on speeders in Minnesota:
http://mobjectivist.blogspot.com/2004/09/stunted-mile-age.html
Many more people travel over 100 mph with motorcyclists reportedly going over 200 (although many have questioned the feasibility of this). |
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bentstrider
Heavy Crude
Joined: Oct 25, 2004
Posts: 378
Location: Southern California Desert
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| Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 4:44 am Post subject: |
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Well, at least most motorcycles have the good gas mileage to compensate for those speeds.
These bimbos and wannabe pimps in their GM's and Ford "tanks" are the ones with no compassion whatsoever to what goes on around them. |
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JackBob
Heavy Crude
Joined: Aug 13, 2004
Posts: 115
Location: United Kingdom
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:17 am Post subject: |
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| pepper2000 wrote: | | I wonder how many people are even aware of the fact that driving faster reduces gas mileage. My guess is that they don't even think about it. If you're fairly well off in America, gas prices aren't high enough to put a dent in your budget. |
Gas costs roughly $6.50 a gallon here in Europe and people speed madly (when they're not stationary in a traffic jam). Moreover, they are buying SUVs by the boatload which is even more stupid than in America.
They make US drivers look conservative. This is one of the enduring riddles of the whole PO thing that I can't figure out. Many people on here have said "when gas hits 4 bucks a gallon the economy will implode" and similar doomsday stuff. Well, it's been more than that for decades here in Europe...so how come these economies are chugging along??
JackBob |
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Falconoffury
Expert
Joined: May 25, 2004
Posts: 1471
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:01 am Post subject: |
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I only drive at 55 mph on the highway. I also try to accelerate slowly in city stoplights. I usually get up to the speed limit. It just takes me a while.
_________________
"If humans don't control their numbers, nature will." -Pimentel
"There is not enough trash to go around for everyone," said Banrel, one of the participants in the cattle massacre.
"George W. Bush loves poor people. He keeps making more of them." -unkn |
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hymalaia
Tar Sands
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 78
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| Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2004 10:24 am Post subject: |
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| JackBob wrote: | | pepper2000 wrote: | | I wonder how many people are even aware of the fact that driving faster reduces gas mileage. My guess is that they don't even think about it. If you're fairly well off in America, gas prices aren't high enough to put a dent in your budget. |
Gas costs roughly $6.50 a gallon here in Europe and people speed madly (when they're not stationary in a traffic jam). Moreover, they are buying SUVs by the boatload which is even more stupid than in America.
They make US drivers look conservative. This is one of the enduring riddles of the whole PO thing that I can't figure out. Many people on here have said "when gas hits 4 bucks a gallon the economy will implode" and similar doomsday stuff. Well, it's been more than that for decades here in Europe...so how come these economies are chugging along??
JackBob |
Well for starters Europe isn't as facist as far as revenu enhance... I mean, speed law enforcement as they are here in the US. Are speed limits are set artificially low so the state politicians can collect money without raising taxes, and pretend as if they are making everyone "safer" even if they are doing the opposite forcing motorists to watch the road for cops rather than safety. But it looks great for re-elections. Don't know how this works in the UK, but in Germany + Italy I know there are some roads with no or very high limits...
anyway personally I don't think the trade off of time lost is worth the energy gained from driving more slowly. But I could be wrong. |
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