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Drivers Are Reducing Their Speed (High Gas Prices Lead to Fewer Fatalities)
JSOnline ^ | June 1, 2008 | Lawrence Sussman

Posted on 06/01/2008 5:18:05 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

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To: ridesthemiles

I got a ‘76 C20 with a 454. I think it takes a gallon just to start it.


41 posted on 06/01/2008 7:28:54 PM PDT by Las Vegas Ron (Election '08, the year McCain defined the word "dilemma")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

uhhh....so motorists are driving a little slower because of the high gas prices, thinking they will use less gas by going ten miles from Point A to Point B, and doing it slower? Of course you use the same amount of gas going 40 MPH as you do going 50 MPH. At 50 MPH you just get there faster. Yikes.


42 posted on 06/01/2008 7:30:45 PM PDT by supremedoctrine ("Time is the school in which we learn that time is the fire in which we burn" --Delmore Schwartz)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

There are more sheeple, I’ve observed, taking the underutilized public transportation. Where were they before? Oh, whining that they can’t (take public transportation), wishing that other would (take public transportation), ranting against it on FR, calling it Socialism, Communism, tyranny.


43 posted on 06/01/2008 7:33:48 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (Are you ready to pray for Teddy?)
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To: txflake

Mythbusters did a segment on windows down vs AC,you actually get better mileage with the windows up and the AC on. There is less wind resistance.


44 posted on 06/01/2008 7:36:47 PM PDT by linn37 (phlebotomist on duty,its just a little pinch)
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To: linn37

“Mythbusters did a segment on windows down vs AC,you actually get better mileage with the windows up and the AC on. There is less wind resistance.”

-

Turn off your lights! All car headlights are designed, specifically to act directly against your forward progress, all those photons zooming out at the speed of light.

I’m series.


45 posted on 06/01/2008 7:40:49 PM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network ("CHANGE INFLATION NOW" -- The Obama campaign, will be distributing buttons.)
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To: Huntress

A Prius (2004 hatchback version).


46 posted on 06/01/2008 7:45:22 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

$4 per gallon hasn’t slowed the morons down in my area. Still driving around like there is no tomorrow. Speeding, tailgaiting, running red lights and making 6 trips to town in one day instead of consolidating trips. Like some people have a bottomless money pit.


47 posted on 06/01/2008 7:58:44 PM PDT by Minutemen ("It's a Religion of Peace")
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To: Cringing Negativism Network
WAIT!

That gives me a brilliant idea!

If I put a dozen Xenon high beam headlights on the back of Suburban, I can increase my MPG with the extra thrust...

Plus keep the tailgaters back a good distance...

48 posted on 06/01/2008 8:03:43 PM PDT by ejonesie22 (Haley Barbour 2012, Because he has experience in Disaster Recovery.)
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To: linn37

That’s the case with highway driving, but not with stop-n-go.

Getting a heavy truck off the line with the A/C on when the light goes green is gas-intensive.


49 posted on 06/01/2008 8:06:12 PM PDT by txhurl (Hirari, Owari ne" ("It's Over for Hillary, Isn't it?"))
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To: Diana in Wisconsin; All

Let the gas price get to something like $6-7 a gallon where no one can afford to drive and the incidents will really go down.


50 posted on 06/01/2008 8:31:19 PM PDT by truthguy (Good intentions are not enough!)
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To: Cringing Negativism Network

I like photons on my salad.


51 posted on 06/01/2008 8:49:07 PM PDT by linn37 (phlebotomist on duty,its just a little pinch)
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To: meyer
But I am considering augmenting my fleet with a Honda Fit or something of that nature. If only Honda would put about 20-30 more horespower in that little sled, I wouldn't be considering it - I'd be driving it already.

I've been researching economical vehicles just in case it becomes a necessity to have one, and have found that the Honda Fit gets lower highway mpg (34) than the Civic (36), and the Civic has higher mpg with an automatic than with a manual. Many of the small, five door hatchbacks are not rated very high on mpg, for example the Mazda 3, at 29 highway, is the same as a V-6 Chevy Impala. GM did some engineering work on the engine in the Chevy Cobalt, and got it up to 36 highway, but reports are that it is noisy and the body integrity isn't so great. Toyota actually seems to have lost an mpg or two with the new Corolla. The Yaris is just too small. So, if I feel the need to do it, I'll be getting a Civic automatic, LX model (DX too much of a stripper, EX too pricey).

52 posted on 06/01/2008 8:51:13 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Of COURSE the game is rigged - and so is the reporting!

They’re hoping that nobody will remember that the big drop in fatalities during the “Arab Oil Embargo” of the ‘70s was traced to a huge drop in total miles traveled - i.e., reduced exposure to hazard - NOT to reduced speeds!

I’m sure that’s exactly what’s happening today.


53 posted on 06/01/2008 9:05:54 PM PDT by Redbob (WWJBD - "What Would Jack Bauer Do?")
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Forgive me. I didn’t catch the mention in the article that the number of fatalities was adjusted for the reduced number of miles being driven due to the increased gas prices.


54 posted on 06/01/2008 10:45:01 PM PDT by Erasmus (When it rattles by your window, the Chicago "L" annoys.)
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To: LiberConservative
Everybody knows the faster you go somewhere the less fuel you use getting there. Right?

Not only that, but it reduces the time you are exposed to the idiots who might run into you; and meteorites, loose highway signs, etc. that might fall on you.

55 posted on 06/01/2008 10:48:19 PM PDT by Erasmus (When it rattles by your window, the Chicago "L" annoys.)
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To: linn37

I see you like to eat light.


56 posted on 06/01/2008 10:57:56 PM PDT by Erasmus (When it rattles by your window, the Chicago "L" annoys.)
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To: Gay State Conservative
I've recently lowered my speeds on Interstates.My trip computer tells me that dropping my speed from 70 (my previous absolute top speed) to 62 I get 12% better mileage.Today I tried doing 55 (I was in no hurry...and very curious) and I got 33% better mileage than at 70.

My GTO gets 24mpg at 80mph, 25 at 70mph and 26 at 65mph.

I'm one of those full-time telecommuters so when I hit the road I need to make up for lost time ;)

57 posted on 06/02/2008 12:16:05 AM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Ted Kennedy is the finest collection of hops and barley money can buy)
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To: LiberConservative

Yep, high fuel prices are causing Gore to stop flying to global warming meets in his private jet and fly commercial coach instead.

Oh wait.


58 posted on 06/02/2008 3:47:28 AM PDT by OldArmy52 (Vote Dem: vote the Clinton/Obama/McCain ticket)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Even though it's only 1 mph, "we think that it is significant," Lonsdorf said. "When you hit something, even if you are going just a mile or two faster, the crash can be so much more violent and less survivable."

He's making this up. No one can quantify the additional injuries caused by a mph difference or two in any given crash.

59 posted on 06/02/2008 4:15:48 AM PDT by naturalized ("The time has come," He said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!")
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To: proxy_user
I drove back from Memorial Day weekend at between 60 and 65 MPH.

Dozens of large SUVs passed me doing at least 80. Apparently, they have no objection to throwing a $10 bill out the window every 40 miles.

I experienced the same thing...drivers were travelling at the same speed as in the past, but there were fewer cars on the road.

60 posted on 06/02/2008 4:27:44 AM PDT by NRG1973
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