Hypermiling legal constraints

[Bruce]

I did a little research to find out what hypermiling techniques are legal in MA, what aren't, and the consequences. Caveat: I'm not a lawyer.

MGL Ch. 90 spells out most of the motor vehicle law:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-90-toc.htm

The Mass Pike (plus Central Artery and tunnels) have their own regulations:

http://www.masspike.com/aboutus/regulations.html

Fines are listed at:

http://www.mass.gov/courts/courtsand...ssessments.pdf

Driver's manual is at:

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/dmanual/index.htm

Surcharge Points values (p. 124-135):

http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/mrb/A...Procedures.pdf

Of interest to hypermilers:

- On the Mass Pike, the minimum speed is 40 MPH except in climbing lanes. Violation carries a $20 fine/2 points. On other limited-access highways, the driver's manual considers 45 MPH to be the safe minimum speed. Obstructing traffic (e.g. blocking traffic by going too slow) on any public road carries a $20 fine/2 points.

- Coasting (operating with gears disengaged) on the Mass Pike carries a $100 fine/2 points. I haven't seen any regulations governing coasting on other public roads.

- Tailgating has a $100 fine/2 points on the Pike and a $20 fine/2 points on state highways.

Countering the gas-wasters, MA has a $100 fine ($250 for second offense) for idling more than 5 minutes (unless the engine is needed), and leaving an idling motor vehicle unattended is illegal as well ($35/2 points for first offense, $75 and $150 for 2d and 3d respectively).

Perhaps others would care to research their respective jurisdictions and post the results here for reference.

[Skwyre7]

This is what I could find for VA:
Impeding traffic, slow speed (3 points, stays on record for 5 years)
Coasting with gears in neutral (3 points, stays on record for 3 years)

I didn't search for very long, so I didn't find the amounts of the fines.

[tbaleno]

This is a great thread. I'm going to sticky it.

[HCHCIN]

Ohio--

Slow speed (below posted minima) 2pts
Following too close 2pts
Disregard of safety (seems vague) 4pts
Unsafe/reckless operation 2-4pts
Loss of physical control of vehicle 2pts
Unreasonable for conditions 2pts

Sort of a laundry list, not sure what all applies, and most of these would probably only be assessed in the case of an accident. That's all I can find for now, and I think points stay on for 3 years, and if I remember right six points is a suspension. --RN

[Delta Flyer]

I don't see going 40 or less on an open freeway to be much of a problem for a number of reasons. Many urban interstates post a mininium speed limit, most people will feel unsafe goind that slow, and in most cases it's sub optimim for best fuel economy.

[tbaleno]

I think we should keep this thread as clean as we can and put comments in a seperate thread. I like the idea of people posting the laws as they see them in their states. It could be a good quick reference for people.

Also, a suggestion to anyone posting in the future on this thread. Under title put in the jurisdiction you are talking about.

[xcel]

Hi Bruce:

___I have driven the MASS Pike in the Insight while in the climbing lanes and slowly bled off until I was near 20 - 25 mph in second just below VTEC and above Assist. She sat there again and again during those climbs. I can understand minimums on all Interstates except for the climbing lanes. The slower those 18-wheelers are traveling, the better which of course is completely allowed.

___Coasting in N is always an interesting question. We pulled some of the local statutes from various states in a similar thread early last year but I could not find it? All had similar wording IIRC. Coasting in N … on downhill’s. We all know it adds risk vs. keeping your car’s ICE on and in gear. I personally have maneuvered away from an impending rear end accident 6 times in the Insight and once in the Accord but have never outrun one? The best we can do is try and make sure we are all paying attention to what is coming from any direction to the best of our abilities is all. That will not guarantee we can avoid all accidents but it will help avoid most as every one of us have experienced at some point in time.

___Most important of all, don’t speed if you can avoid it!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[lightfoot]

I keep wondering how a "no-coasting" law could possibly be enforced: how would an officer ever see that you are doing it?

With the ICE on, the only giveaway in an automatic would be if you coast below the minimum speed (seemingly less than 5mph) where "D" can be engaged and so must come to a full stop before shifting to D. In a manual, I can't think of any indication.

With the ICE off, the only clue would probably be a momentary dimming of the lights (if they are on) when cranking the ICE or a sudden slowing if bump-starting a manual. Personally I'm not keen on ICE-off in a car with hydraulic-assist steering - tried it in my Subaru. But the Insight with electric steering is fine as long as one is mindful of the increased brake force required after braking with ICE off.

The 3-cylinder 2-stroke Saabs of the late '60's/early '70's had a lever in the footwell at the firewall that could be set in either of two positions: normal or freewheeling. In the latter setting the car would coast whenever you let up on the gas. No engine braking (but the 2-stroke didn't give much engine braking anyway).

[HAFNHAF]

in the insight, after applying the brakes about three times, the ICE starts up again to replenish the vacuum for the brake booster. i ICE-off coast all the time. there is one run as i am coming home from work that is about a mile long. i can usually add about one mpg for the day's commute with that one!

[msirach]

I'm lucky I'm not in jail!!!


The google toolbar makes searching these LONG docs much easier.

Illinois DMV website

http://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/autom...hicle-code.php




Sec. 11-606. slow speed prohibited.



(625 ILCS 5/11-1410) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1410)
7 Sec. 11-1410. Coasting prohibited.
8 (a) The driver of any motor vehicle when traveling upon
9 a down grade shall not coast with the gears or transmission
10 of the such vehicle in neutral.