The only thing between me and superb fuel economy...

[brekko]

I've often been of the opinion that most drivers typically suck, after a successful couple months of hypermiling that fact has become even more prevalent. The problem is that so many drivers are totally ignorant to what is going on. For starters they see the road as simply a route for them to get from 'a' to 'b' and could care less how exactly that is accomplished. With this frame of mind all thought to other drivers, basic courtesies, and common sense are totally thrown out, not to mention the slightest concern for their fuel economy. The problem I have arises when these drivers are in proximity to me. In heavy traffic when I am boxed in and grandma shearer pulls out in front of me only to stop and signal she's turning left, needless to say it's puts a hefty dent in my mpg average for that trip. Maybe one day the message of better fuel economy = less fuel dependence will spread...I mean as for now most police officers see it as totally ludicrous. Am I the only one to have been pulled over for slow driving? And recently with this holiday shopping starting to surge I've been getting plenty of impatient drivers planted behind my smoothly accelerating ways...and they usually don't get it. I need a large bumper graphic which states "Thanks for honking, I'm saving you money too." Either way I suppose I can only keep my habits up to snuff.

[Big Dave]

Gotta face the fact that intelligent drivers are a tiny minority.

My niece who texts while she drives is the average driver.

[brekko]

haha, ya i know those people, it's kinda like how everyone was a child once, everyone was an irresponsible driver once

[vtec-e]

Originally Posted by brekko

"Thanks for honking, I'm saving you money too."

The thing is, most people won't get this. Which is terrible. We are SUPPOSEDLY the most advanced civilisation yet we see the most moronic things happen every day. We truly are getting dumber and quickly at that.
Everywhere i look i see education cutbacks (among others). I don't see military cutbacks much.

My two cents.

ollie

[brekko]

well I think that has a lot to do with the fact that people don't take the time to think. If I live in a country ruled by the people, and people would exercise there brains then things like this would be commonplace, as it were I don't see that happening any time soon. Although in people's defense, they also don't get hypermiling and other sensible things because they don't see an immediate return for themselves. Not only would they be saving themselves money, but they would also be decreasing the amount of fuel needed to keep the world going, and if everyone did that then it could actually change something...what am I saying?

[Christ]

Take solace in the fact that SOMEONE is at least trying. Things always take time to catch, and there hasn't been such a large demand for such a long period of time in many many years.

If trends continue the way they are, people will start to see the light.

Brings an old phrase to mind:
"You won't turn around until you get to the end of the road."
My father used to say that to me... basically means I'm stubborn, and will see something through until I am 100% sure nothing will come of it.

This isn't just a "me" thing.. it's pretty common, actually. People will stick with whatever they "know" works for them until it doesn't work anymore.

[metromizer]

I had hoped the 'real time' trip and mileage computers put onto some of the well equiped newer cars would help with driver education... from my informal observations and talking with people who have them in their cars, I can't see any evidence they help.

On the other side of the argument, when gas prices were about $4/gal here, I saw a noticable reduction in average speeds on the freeways, and fewer impatient drivers.

[Christ]

I guess that statement might categorize the impatient ones as the lower-income ones too... those who either couldn't afford to drive as often, or couldn't afford to drive like idiots.

I, too, have noticed this reduction, even now around here, since people are still trying to catch up from the high fuel prices, now that they're saving money on fuel, they're trying to catch up with other bills.

[wagonman76]

I had hoped the 'real time' trip and mileage computers put onto some of the well equiped newer cars would help with driver education... from my informal observations and talking with people who have them in their cars, I can't see any evidence they help.

When deciding on a location for my mpguino, I wanted it in a location where I would not have to look far from the road to monitor and improve my mileage. All the cars Ive seen with mpg displays have them in ridiculous places like down by the shifter, up on the roof, etc. If they were in a more useful place, they might get used just a little more.

On the other side of the argument, when gas prices were about $4/gal here, I saw a noticable reduction in average speeds on the freeways, and fewer impatient drivers.

Cars, Ive noticed nothing except a reduction of local traffic when it was $4.50 a gallon here. Nearly everybody still charged down the road like wild animals. But 18 wheelers did slow down quite a bit on the freeway. Now in the last couple weeks, especially this last weekend, 18 wheelers are flying down the freeway again, well over their 60 mph speed limit, plus its all winter now too which makes it more dangerous. Guess $3/gal diesel must be considered cheap to them.

[Christ]

They get paid by distance, not time (most cases). So in their mind, the faster they're going, the more money they're making.

If fuel comes from the driver's pocket, however, and he's making $0.90 CPM (non-veteran drivers), Driving 60 MPH average, he's making $0.90*60 = $54/hour. At 70MPH, he's making $0.90*70 = $63/hour, for a difference of $63-$54 = $9/hour.

If he loses 1mpg at 70, opposed to 60, assuming 4mpg loaded @ 70, that's 17.5gph of fuel, 17.5*$3=$52.5/hour in fuel costs.

5mpg @ 60 = 12gph*$3=$36/hour in fuel costs, for a difference of $6.50/hour in fuel costs.

Total leftover, after fuel @ 70mph = $63-$52.5=$11.50/hour profit
@ 60MPH $54-$36 = $18.00/hour profit

Obviously, the results of this are skewed by estimation, but for the sake of the situation, it will work.

You have to understand that they might be faced with both time constraints and a misconception that faster = more money, as well.

In the case where fuel is subsidized, or where the company provides it, they're DEFINITELY making more money the faster they drive.