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I wonder if hypermiling (or at least driving slower) is becoming a trend! Lately I've noticed that the speed on the Interstate I use for commuting has gone down somewhat, at least during the evening. It used to be that the traffic moved at 65 mph, but now the average speed over my commute is 60 mph. In some places I have even witnessed traffic flowing at less than 55 mph.

Maybe there's just more traffic congestion, but can one person really start a trend? Has anyone noticed this happening where they live?

If so, then ... :woot:

I have noticed it myself. Also that there are more people not trying to rush to the stoplights. I am guessing this is more in the realm of ecodriving. Actually an excellent thing. I would be happy if many more people were ecodriving. I think there has been more attention in the media to improving gas mileage-- not necessarily hypermiling.

Basically I have seen it in the last month or two.

---des

I don't see a whole lot of change around here. People still drive like coke addicts on their way to their next fix on the highways. And off the highways I've had far too many close calls of late due to speeders/inattentive drivers. We were almost rear-ended twice in the last week (I was driving a bit above the limit both times), the first time escaping only because I pulled a hard right onto the shoulder when I realized he was determined to go through us. (That particular guy had a skunk tear most of his bumper off about a mile later...he must have been moving pretty quick at the time of impact.)

I hold absolutely no delusion that folks are going to change their habits just because fuel is a little more expensive than last year. The people who even give it a thought are going to stay in the minority for a long time to come, nevermind those who act.

I hold absolutely no delusion that folks are going to change their habits just because fuel is a little more expensive than last year. The people who even give it a thought are going to stay in the minority for a long time to come, nevermind those who act.

I don't think I'm under a delusion, brick. :-)
I don't think it is any kind of majority either. Just I have seen an increase. There are an unusually high no. of SUVs and trucks compared to other places, so I think that MIGHT be why I am seeing this. These people are hurting-- and want to save a buck.
But even a sizable minority, no. But there are people who are doing this. It isn't hypermiling imo. Mostly the things are in the area of ecodriving-- decreasing speed (to speed limit), not following too closely, slowing and speeding up slowly. I would guess tire pressure as well.
These are easy things to do that give you improvements. And I think that there are bound to be people who will try them. (And many others who won't!)


--des

I've seen less reckless driving in Dallas, but not really seen more fuel-efficient driving... call it small progress.

I feel people are slowing down. H

I had been crediting the ice/snow/fog/dark for the slower speeds. I hope you're right about people driving slower to save gas. On a related note, I think I've noticed slightly more cars/fewer SUV's.

I wonder if hypermiling (or at least driving slower) is becoming a trend! Lately I've noticed that the speed on the Interstate I use for commuting has gone down somewhat, at least during the evening. It used to be that the traffic moved at 65 mph, but now the average speed over my commute is 60 mph. In some places I have even witnessed traffic flowing at less than 55 mph.

Maybe there's just more traffic congestion, but can one person really start a trend? Has anyone noticed this happening where they live?

If so, then ... :woot:

A few months ago, a Cincinnati news station aired a special about hypermiling - driving slow, riding the white line, coasting, FAS, among others.

It made already bad Ohio drivers, if possible, worse, I think. People trying to hypermile and they don't even know what they're doing (coasting and slowing to a crawl well before they reach the light, or driving 55 in the left lane with the A/C clearly on....)

Good idea, wrong audience. Seriously, I'm going off topic...but Ohio drivers cannot drive. :mad:

Actually, *<pick your location>* drivers cannot drive. ;)

ok, so i said i didn't watch tv...i lied, sort of. i have been hooked on general hospital since way back in the day when i was a stay at home mom. so i tape it, and watch it at night.

in a scene last night, two women who weren't exactly best friends were driving someplace they didn't want to be...one of those funny, bickering type conversations. the passenger was snarking at the driver, saying she was driving 5 miles below the limit, fer pete's sake. the driver responsed, with just as snotty an attitude, that she was driving according to existing conditions.....

when, as could be predicted, they ran out of gas, the driver was criticized for not driving faster to get to a gas station. the response was that she knew she would get better economy driving slower!!

so, howz them bananas?:smilingface (52):

Well I am pretty sure I have seen it. BUT it certainly is no universal thing. I am just always happy for any extra driver I see not passing me to get to the stop light. I have also seen an increase in Priuses and Minis around and many other little economy cars. (The HCH isn't so visible. But the Prius and Mini stands out.) I still don't see a huge decrease in SUVs and trucks.


However, in no way would I accuse New Mexicans with knowing how to drive. In fact, they are more or less famous for not using turn signals. There is even a bumper sticker: "Visualize Turn Signals". This is often on a car that has another one: "Visualize Whirled Peas". :D


--des

No way is the general public slowing down to save gas. NFW. Not even here in eco-crazy Portland. Most people still drive like a-holes. There's still a huge disconnect in the average person's thinking. The average driver is under the impression that driving style makes a 10% difference, at most.

A 10% savings would be the same as getting every eleventh tank free.

30 mpg for 10 gal = 300 miles
33 mpg for 10 gal = 330 miles

11 tanks at 30 mpg = 3300 miles
10 tanks at 33 mpg = 3300 miles

A free tank of gas with every oil change? Sounds good to me. ;)

No disagreement there, Skwyre7, but the average Joe isn't going to put his ego in check and drive slower just to get every 11th tank free. At least not at $3/gallon. My point is that the real savings of slowing down and driving smarter, at least in my experience, is closer to 30%, and most people don't realize that. If more people did know it, you'd see a lot more interest in hypermiling.