Coasting is illegal in Kentucky?????

[Daveedo]

So technically when you let off the gas in a hybrid like the HCH or Insight or the Pious (yah, I mispelled it on purpose) and the vehicle starts to coast on its own you breaking the law in several states
I guess same thing would apply in any direct drive electric vehicle as well.

Selective enforcement seems to be the answer to laws that don't quite fit. But without the law there would be a pretty good sized loophole for those idiots who like to spoil it for the rest of us...sorta frustrating...sorta what I deal with on a regular basis

[Big Dave]

Coasting laws are unenforceable except after an accident.

[Silveredwings]

Coasting a car in Kentucky is illegal only if you shift into Neutral:

(1) The driver of a motor vehicle when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the gears of the vehicle in neutral.
(2) The driver of a commercial motor vehicle when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the clutch disengaged.

(emphasis mine)

[McTimson]

Good catch, I didn't notice the commercial part there. I guess that makes sense for trucks flying down hills, but there's no way I'd keep my foot on the clutch for an entire hill instead of going into neutral. I think both of the sections should be for commercial vehicles.

Of course, the law was written and last revised in 1942, so it could probably use some updating anyway. Although I doubt there are any police officers who have actually written a ticket for coasting down a hill in neutral.

[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?

[TestDrive]

Most if not all of these no coasting laws were written when unsynchronized manual transmissions were practically the only thing on the road.

[rwyler]

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?

I think McTimson found the reason here, which I failed to initially notice:

Originally Posted by McTimson

Of course, the law was written and last revised in 1942, so it could probably use some updating anyway.

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.

[Andyman]

New York forbids coasting. Here is the rule:

§ 1216. Coasting prohibited. The driver of any motor vehicle when
traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the gears of such
vehicle in neutral, nor with the clutch disengaged.

When I read about a reason not to coast, it is usually about avoiding brake failure due to overheating. Of course, any smart driver would stop coasting before using the brakes when descending a steep hill except when sudden braking is needed for an unexpected hazard. I've also read that the brakes on cars were much weaker when the laws against coasting were written. The law seems to be there to protect bad drivers who don't know when it would be appropriate to stop coasting.

Apparently, it is permissible to coast when slowing down on level ground or up a hill, just not on a down grade.

Here is an interesting article about coasting laws.
AARP.org Member ronburley's Journals: Watch, Post, Comment, and Share with Friends

I found something that says the new 2009 VW Touareg Hybrid automatically coasts when the driver removes his foot from the gas pedal.
Green Car Congress: Volkswagen Introduces BlueMotionTechnologies Umbrella Brand for Fuel-Efficient, Low-Emissions Technologies; Previews Touareg Hybrid

[dcb]

Funny, this just got repealed:
"Washington Vehicle Code: 56,2--All motor vehicles must be preceded by a man carrying a red flag (daytime) or a red lantern (nighttime) fifty feet in front of said vehicle"

LOL

[Vwbeamer]

Most of the coasting laws were written in the 20's. Back then the brakes on a car were marginal at best. A lot of your stopping power was done by gearing done. The brakes did little more than hold the car stopped. The pad material was not the same as we have now, an could quickly wear out or over heat the drum brakes. Some cars only had brakes on the rear wheels.

Also the manual gearboxes were unsychronized. Once out of gear, it could be tricky or almost impossible to get back in gear at high speed running down a mountain.

The laws made good sence at the time they were written.

Georgia also has a law against coasting in neutral. I think it's a bad idea if you are coming down a steep mountain road even in a late model car. BTW I coast all the time down smaller hills.