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For those frustrating times when 4-ways, the thumb, and the
yuppie button fail to have the desired effect, I've lifted an
idea from one of those speed-demon forums someone referenced
recently where various reverse-printed windshield graphics are
offered for the habitual left-laners. I hereby offer the
inverse:
.
http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/gam.jpg
.
best viewed from the point of view of a truck or SUV, given the
slant of the window, to whom the message needs to be even more
urgent.
.
This was a temporary installation; I'm debating the potential
problems with having something like this visible in normal
mixed driving, as someone might try to do what it says on a
two-laner when it isn't safe. But on the interstates it
would generally be entirely appropriate, and my thoughts
were definitely toward the long haul to Hybridfest and the
like as I was taping it together.
.
Feedback?
.
_H*

I would think the overwhelming majority of people would adhere to the graphic, however...
I also think it could be a beacon to the more agressive drivers on the road and could present a problem. I prefer to travel "incognito." Let us know how it works out.

Could you rig it to pop up as needed.

I think it would be good to add "Driver Sleeping" or "Driver on Break." How about "Driver has Anger Management Problems, please go around."

Consider adding "Experiment in Progress," or something to make it sound less like an order and more like a good suggestion.

I think it would be good to add "Driver Sleeping" or "Driver on Break." How about "Driver has Anger Management Problems, please go around."

Consider adding "Experiment in Progress," or something to make it sound less like an order and more like a good suggestion.

Or maybe just adding "please" would make it seem less bossy.

I've thought about the flip-down-when-needed idea. I'm not sure
I'm serious enough about this to throw more hardware and time
at it. I do remember one Tour de Sol team in a classic Prius
that sprayed a similar legend on the back of their car with
that white fake snow you decorate window panes with. It was
such a hack job it probably made tailgating drivers just bust
out laughing while they looked for an opening to pass.
.
As far as more complex messages -- it's got to be big, and
completely readable at a glance, so that's the simplest I came
up with. It also matches the "R3VO 3VOM -->" graphics from the
other forum postings... anyone remember where that was, btw?
.
_H*

Hi Al:

___Only you could think of that :D Nice job and le us know how it works on the road!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Or maybe just adding "please" would make it seem less bossy.
It's a bit dark out at the moment so I don't have a picture but, I have a bumper sticker that I had made that says, "Research Vehicle-Please Pass." It is in 2" tall white letters and, on the blue bumper of my car, it is quite noticeable from a significant distance. Now, the question is, "Does it help?" I'm really not certain. I still have people that follow at what seems to be a too close distance when there is plenty of room to pass.:mad: I honestly can't say whether people pass me more often than before I put this on. I suspect that some don't take it seriously and think it is meant to be humorous or that some people cop a "how dare you" type attitude. Perhaps I need to change it to something like, "Driving slow to save money. Please pass when safe."

" <- There's the passing lane"

Would have to be flip-down or illuminated, because not always true. It's not a command; just a bit of info for the cognitively impaired.

Can't believe you've still got dealer frames on your license plate, Master Hobbit.

DAS

I always wanted to get one of those automotive LED displays that go in your back window and have a remote control to program it or switch to one of the stored messages.

Looks much better on the car than when you were holding it up in your hands.


"Research Vehicle-Please Pass" ...I still have people that follow at what seems to be a too close distance when there is plenty of room to pass.:mad:

Ah....that would be me - straining to see what kind of research vehicle it is:D.

I always wanted to get one of those automotive LED displays that go in your back window and have a remote control to program it or switch to one of the stored messages.
The Mobileled MD-550 is a great piece of equipment, if you can ever find them. I have one in the back of my Insight.
( see the CleanMPG thread on it here. MobileLED (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6055))
You can put up preprogrammed phrases up and they even have scrolling motion.
I love mine. (Even though it is a bit unreliable at times.)
The company is no longer making them, but they pop up on cragslist, etc once in awhile.

Yours is a great low tech solution, Hobbit. Keep up the good work!

The Mobileled MD-550 is a great piece of equipment, if you can ever find them. I have one in the back of my Insight.


Did you ever sell your other one, that you mentioned in that thread?

I'm thinking of finding a way to rig up the Sg so it also shows up on a large LCD I'd put on the back of the car. And when the MPG gauge reads a really big number, then people get the idea and might understand why I'm actually going the speed limit, not 25 over like the rest of them.

Well, my little sign will get beta-tested on the way out to
Green Grand Prix (http://greengrandprix.com/) tomorrow. I've hacked together a way to
quickly clip it in or out -- not a remote flip-down, but
if I think it's causing more angst than good on the highway
it's easy to stop somewhere and unmount it without wrestling
with tape.
.
The run tomorrow is during a normal workday, so I'll get
to see if the usual trucks behave any differently...
.
_H*

Well, I would like to report way more favorable results from
the GO AROUND sign than I expected. It was subtle, but I could
swear that trucks were swinging out from behind me a little
earlier, and other vehicles spent less time behind me in the
right lane than they usually do. I think it works. It's no
good at night, of course, but for normal daytime traffic I think
it's well worth increasing the "unusual factor".
.
The occasional staties that passed me didn't seem to take any
particular note or react, just gave me the usual eyeball they'd
give any other driver looking for suspicious characteristics.
.
I got one or two thumbs-up from passing people in SUVs, but that
happens anyway probably just because it's a Prius and/or has all
the other safety bling stuck on it.
.
_H*

Well, the thing is still in my window, and it looks like it's
staying. By the way, I re-found the site offering the opposite --
leftlanedrivers.org (http://leftlanedrivers.org/). It's tempting to sign up over there and
show them my answer, but the site doesn't actually seem active
enough to really make it worth the potential head-butting.
.
http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/moga.jpg
.
It's an amusing juxtaposition of "highway messages", anyways.
.
I had a guy on a motorcycle come up next to me at an intersection
yesterday and ask about it, wishing he could plaster something
similar across his own back to help get cars off his butt. Bikes
get tailgated even worse at times because the car drivers don't
realize how close they get to a smaller object.
.
_H*

I've seen the license plate frames, here in Houston, with the LED on the bottom part of the frame. Most people advertisment for their home businesses.
Use it to put your top mpg and "Go Around!"

http://www.perpetualkid.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1607


-D

Here you go:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=497240

Hobbit--

I've never seen the words "safety" and "bling" next to each other.

However, in your case, I think it's entirely fitting...

And when the MPG gauge reads a really big number, then people get the idea and might understand why I'm actually going the speed limit, not 25 over like the rest of them.

Good idea in theory, but you know a large number of people are probably going to be wondering what a mpg is, and what's so great about 50 of them.

They run out of fingers
.
_H*

Good idea in theory, but you know a large number of people are probably going to be wondering what a mpg is, and what's so great about 50 of them.

"50 what?????"
I like your style!

ollie

The latest tool in the box. After the rear-window banner, a
hit from the YB, and the thumb out the window, they still don't
get it and eventually start to pass, and on the way by are
likely wondering who is this a-hole and what's the deal with
him, anyways? Well, instead of getting someone they can
exchange stink-eye with, they can now get their answer:
.
http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/rufd.jpg
.
and I obviously can't see their roadrage either [but still
keep an eye on the nose of their FSP just in case]. Works
out the right-side window for the offramp-crowders, too.
.
It's a simple piece of backing coroplast with a coat hanger
handle run up a couple of the holes and taped into place.
Since I was big-printing stuff for the car for Mem Day (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11302&page=3#post100512)
anyway, this naturally fell out of the process. I'm thinking
of doing up "PUT THAT DOWN and DRIVE" for the other side,
where "that" can apply to whatever shiny distraction is
keeping their brain off the road at the time.
.
Being able to pass an actual coherent, directed and intentional
message that can't be ignored as soon as it's read probably
gives a tangible advantage, where waving various limbs and
digits is too ambiguous. And no blinkie-LED toys needed.
.
_H*

try this,.. I was looking at this already.
http://www.strangenewproducts.com/uploaded_images/plate-flipper-738571.jpg

Hobbit,

I hear one of those signs would be handy for the MPG challenge at Hybridfest.

Maybe you could sell them or rent them out!

I've been considering mounting one of those US-flag-on-a-stick accessories on my roof. A lot of them are appearing around here. No one's going to run someone waving an American flag off the road, are they? Plus it would make me more visible.

Too much drag -- go with a back window graphic instead. ;)

I actually thought about driving with my hazards on...

I think this is a great idea and hope it goes the way of the middle tailight to improve the commuting experience.

I actually thought about driving with my hazards on...

It's illegal some places.

If everyone has their hazards on all the time they lose their effect. Just pop them on when you see an issue developing behind you, then shut them off when things clear. Even 5 flashes should do the trick.

Or you can tap your brake pedal (lightly!!) a few times. But doing that may be illegal somewhere too!!

http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/gam.jpg
best viewed from the point of view of a truck or SUV, given the
slant of the window, to whom the message needs to be even more
urgent...
Feedback?
_H*

Well, I was vacationing in Boston these last few days, and what do I see in front of me but Hobbit - complete with the "<--- Go around" sign, the orange triangles and a prominent sign on the rear bumper. We were crawling along late Tuesday afternoon, heading south on I-93 just out of the tunnel, and I noticed the signs and remembered seeing them here in the forums.

So it's a very small world. Two CleanMPG members, each getting the best FE possible for their given vehicle in the crawling traffic, and the only two on the road that kept moving and maintaining a buffer in front.

On the way home, driving through CT, I thought of "lightfoot" as I drove by the exit that names his home town. There are quite a few hypermilers here in New England.

And I'm glad to see another CleanMPG'er out there on the roads. I need to get some sort of decal or sign to attach to the car while I'm travelling so others can spot me, too. :)

-Chris

Interesting...

Out of curiosity...
whats with the dark gray area above the license plate covering the Toyota logo?

Hey, that's great! That in fact was the same afternoon I had just
delivered my "why hybrids are good" talk at BBN over lunchtime,
and then got stuck in that HUGE almost-non-moving backup on Storrow
Drive because of the truck that plowed into the Longfellow bridge,
and then I was heading south on 93 after finally clearing that.
I was in fact going down toward Providence RI to drop off my
valve stems (http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/valvestem/) at the office of a small safety advocacy outfit (http://safetyresearch.net/topnav.htm) that
had found my writeup and is in the process of chasing down more
info about the whole issue. So, yeah, a busy afternoon that took
me through a lot of the high-traffic areas of town. And plenty of
proof along the way that leaving a large gap yields many more
benefits, for me and everyone around me, than keeping it tight.
.
One part of the Storrow backup was the long tunnel next to Back
Bay, which as hot as that afternoon was, inside the tunnel was
even *hotter*. Why? Because of all those idling engines throwing
off huge wads of waste heat and not pulling any air through the
tunnel which higher speeds would help with. There I was inching
along, producing far more volume of sweat than that of the gas I was
consuming, with my engine block actually cooling *down* in the
process instead of getting warmer. There were at least two dead
cars along that stretch with the hoods up, too, that didn't make
it. The Prius is awesome in that kind of traffic, even though
the big battery tends to slowly lose charge keeping the 12V
electronics alive.
.
The black patch on the rear hatch has an explanation (http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/logos/), and at some
point when the local "green car competition" is over, i.e. the
pollen quits raining down, I'll do the hood piece.
.
_H*

It's illegal some places.

Really? I haven't done it, but I didn't know that. The only time I usually hit them (and always have) is if I see the traffic up ahead come to a screeching halt (which is common) I usually pop them on as I am slowing down, and once the cars behind me realize what is fgoing on (usually not until they are slamming on the brakes anyway, last minute) then I will turn them off again. I am amazed at how many people out there on the roads do not look ahead of the car in front of them and do not realize that traffic ahead is stopping for whatever reason. Guess they didn't see the smoke from the screeching tires of the 18 wheeler half mile up...

Hey, that's great! That in fact was the same afternoon I had just
delivered my "why hybrids are good" talk at BBN over lunchtime ... I was heading south on 93 after finally clearing that. ... So, yeah, a busy afternoon that took me through a lot of the high-traffic areas of town. And plenty of proof along the way that leaving a large gap yields many more benefits, for me and everyone around me, than keeping it tight.
.
One part of the Storrow backup was the long tunnel next to Back
Bay, which as hot as that afternoon was, inside the tunnel was
even *hotter*. Why? Because of all those idling engines throwing
off huge wads of waste heat and not pulling any air through the
tunnel which higher speeds would help with.
There I was inching along, producing far more volume of sweat than that of the gas I was
consuming, with my engine block actually cooling *down* in the process instead of getting warmer. There were at least two dead cars along that stretch with the hoods up, too, that didn't make it. The Prius is awesome in that kind of traffic, even though the big battery tends to slowly lose charge keeping the 12V electronics alive. ...

I was very pleased when I spotted you that day. Since my earliest visits to the site, I admired your views of hypermiling as well as your knowledge and experience. Because I can be rather dense, I hadn't (until I spotted your car) realized that your location of "Bahstahn" was simply the phonetic spelling of "Boston" with the regional accent applied. Even before I spotted the signs that identified the gray Prius as uniquely yours, I knew you were a hypermiler because you were in the right lane, had the buffer of a couple of car lengths in front, and I saw the window open a few inches, meaning no A/C. I had just reached the end of the tunnel, still heading uphill, and the outside temp display on my dash read 103. So my wife and I were sweating a bit too, but not enough to wreck the FE. I was in the lane to your left, also with the buffer and the windows open almost all the way (no drag at 5mph). I thought of shouting out "CLEAN MPG DOT COM - YEAH!", but you were very intently watching traffic and the gages and I didn't want to break the concentration. So instead, I thought I'd just write a little paragraph here to let you know that you unknowingly had a car in the next lane who was also managing 130% of EPA on that tank.

Go Hobbit! Like it says on your hatch, "One less SUV". We need more of those stickers on the road!

I would simply (and I am probably) going to put;

Top of window
-----------------------------------------
"Drive Slower Like Me...

Save Gas...

Stop Wars"
----------------------------------------
Bottom of Window



I think its better to try to change people than to just order them to do something for 5 seconds...

===========================
CAUTION: Hypermiler at Work
<------- Go Around <-------
===========================


Make a nice bumper sticker too...