Quote:
Originally Posted by vinny1989
Surely those who coast in neutral often can shift into a gear smoothly? And, don't most people on here drive in the highest gear possible(to keep rev's low)?
How can they prove you were coasting in neutral and NOT just idling along in 5th?
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I think McTimson found the reason here, which I failed to initially notice:
Quote:
Originally Posted by McTimson
Of course, the law was written and last revised in 1942, so it could probably use some updating anyway.
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In 1942 there were a still a lot of cars without syncronized transmissions, and there were even more cars without power brakes or even front disc brakes. That makes for a dangerous runaway situation if you're going down a steep grade in a 3 ton bohemoth with 4 wheel drum brakes, no engine braking to help out, no power brakes, and no way to get the car back into gear. That being said I can lock all 4 wheels in my 1900 lb syncronized 5 speed disc braked Civic with the engine off (no power brake assist). I'll just follow the "intent" of the law and keep my vehicle under control at all times. I'm 99% sure that your average policeman in Kentucky doesn't even know this law exists.
Interestingly, you could legally just leave the car in gear and hold the clutch in back in 1942, so it's obvious that there were smart individuals "hypermiling" even back then. My grandfather still refuses to use his turn signals on the basis that he'll wear them out and have to replace them, so there are lots of people who grew up in the depression that knew how to pinch their pennies.