Gas is getting pricey but

[MISSDem]

I see few driving slower to save gas. Since gas has gotten so high I have forced myself to drive no faster than 55 MPH which is supposed to help your gas mileage improve and it has. But I almost get run over out there. Why do we not slow down and save some gas?

[cynatnite]

1. I have been lecturing this to my daughter for at least a month now...

She has complained about my slow driving and I tell her it saves gas. Then she whines about needing more money for gas and I talk to her again about it.

She's going through too much gas.

[ThatsMyBarack]

2. So THAT'S why it takes longer to get home these days.

It feels like riding in a funeral procession. :eyes:

[MISSDem]

4. Oddly enough, I don't see that it is taking me any

longer to get to and from work, etc.

[rucky]

3. The CEO of Exxon was praising the INC for encouraging conservation.

on Today Show this morning.

[cynatnite]

5. That interview gave me such a headache...I changed the channel n/t

[Liberal In Texas]

6. I still almost get run over driving the speed limit. Let alone slowing down. n/t

[Liberal In Texas]

7. Delete...Weird double post.

[whistle]

8. Drive slower, drive straighter and drive less...think of the difference that would make

...if the drivers of all three hundred million vehicles in the U.S. headed that for a period of 24 months.

I have restricted my driving to only the minimum of necessities and have been able to keep my gasoline consumption to under 20 gallons per month which equates to no more that 440 miles. If and when I do drive on a longer trip I use my speed control set at 62mph on the interstates (70mph posted). I find that even in the slower lane 55mph tends to be a hazard where other drivers tend to exceed the posted limits and truck drivers aggressively pushing their own limits.

[nichomachus]

9. I call it the "beer keg" theory

If you've ever been to a keg party, you'll understand this. If you haven't, here's how it works.

At some point late in the party, it becomes apparent that the keg is running out. The keg, which is sitting in a tub of ice begins to become buoyant, because most of the ice has melted and there's not much beer left in the keg.

At that point, logic would tell you that people should slow down on the drinking. They've had a few already and, if they pace themselves, the keg will last longer and the party can go on. What really happens, however, is that people begin to drink faster. They want to make sure they get all they can before the keg finally does run out. Consequently, the keg runs out faster and the party ends earlier.

It's silly, but it's human nature.

[whistle]

12. Funny, but that seldom happens with hamburgers, hot dogs and chocolate cake at these parties

...and exactly who at the parties displays such "human nature"? Not all of the people at the party I can assure you, because if that were so then the party planers would allow for more kegs OR they would not be plan the next party.

So this keg principle you describe is not "human nature" at all, but rather is the nature of a unique subset of people who may or may not be human beings. Would you agree?

[nichomachus]

15. No

Most people are notoriously bad at planning

[whistle]

16. LOL and denial is not a river in Egypt

[MadinMo]

10. I'm driving slower too. But there are many who will tell you

that it creates a driving hazard to drive slower than the rest of the traffic flow. That seems counter-intuitive to me --- if we all drive faster because the cars up front and behind are going faster, then no one will ever slow down. It has to start somewhere.

So I continue to drive 55 - 60 when I'm on the highway which isn't often, thank goodness.

[MISSDem]

11. It is so hard to drive that slow - 55 mph.

I was having acupuncture done Monday and I told the doctor that the two things I found hardest to do were (1) lie on the table for the treatment and drive no faster than 55. There is a message in there somewhere for me.

[MadinMo]

14. LOL MissDem

You are right --- I think there is a message in there for you,too. For ALL of us! :hi:

[The2ndWheel]

17. That's like the upper, middle, and lower classes

"if we all drive faster because the cars up front and behind are going faster, then no one will ever slow down. It has to start somewhere."

The upper class has everything, but the middle class wants equal access to whatever the upper class has, and the lower class has to be brought along because it's only fair that they should get at least the basics of what the middle class has. Reducing consumption has to start somewhere, but where? The upper class isn't going to do it voluntarily, the middle class has fought and died to have even the scraps from the upper class, and the lower class is just trying to hang on.

[elizfeelinggreat]

13. road rage

I have thought that driving skills in general have been deteriorating every year but it is getting ridiculous. Everyone is on edge or perhaps they think it's a game and they're being competitive? Either way it's selfish and dangerous behavior.