Former speedaholic enjoys slowing down to save gas

As a “recovered speedaholic”, I feel that I can speak with some authority on the subject of speed. At one time in my life I thought that “smart-drivers” could handle the curves at high speeds, and that driving slow was a public nuisance. To be honest, I thought that speed limits and stop signs were for idiots. No offense, but I was a frontal-lobe impaired teen without a clue, so please forgive my arrogance. When I look back, I realize what a miracle it was that I did not kill myself, or someone else. I would frequently cite my “clean” driving record as evidence that I was a good driver, never taking into account that I had only been driving a short while, or had just been lucky. God only knows, I might still be whizzing down the highway today, were it not for the cost of speeding. Like most addicts, I would have to encounter uncomfortable situations and significant consequences before I would recognize the error of my ways. My “intervention” began on a steamy Alabama highway, following a typical, late-afternoon rainstorm. While whipping along at a speed of at least 75 mph, I was trying to pull my hair into a scrunchie (the t-tops were out and flying hair can be a safety issue; of course, so can driving without your hands on the wheel, but that isn’t the point). My little two-seater hit a slick spot and began spinning, eventually skidding off the highway and landing in the median. I saw my life flash before my eyes and I was terrified. Of course, it would take three speeding tickets and being dropped from my insurance before I would admit to having a problem. Maybe the price of gas today is forcing speedaholics to examine their driving habits. Maybe there is a decline in aggressive driving because people are watching their gas tanks. Maybe we owe a big Thank You to the oil companies because the cost of gasoline motivates slower driving, and wrecks have been prevented! All I know is that I don’t like spending so much money to fill my tank. I like saving money more than I like going fast. I am a content commuter, a happy speeder, clipping along at 60 mph, saving 30%.

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SLOWING DOWN some can SAVE MONEY

More free tips coming soon at: http://www.happyspeeder.com/

I hate the price of gas - but I have to commute, I have to drive, and I have to buy gas.

Gas Prices escalate daily. It is painful to see the "E" on your dash. The price of gas is forcing Americans to change the way they drive. If I were to identify the number one change that I have made to my driving habits, it would be taking my foot off of the pedal sooner. I have been surprised at how far I can coast without accelerating, especially when I can see that I am about to stop at a traffic light or a traffic jam.

The morning commute is a good example. I know pretty much where the backups are; HWY 78 merging onto HWY 285, Hwy 85 merging with 285, HWY 285 merging with HWY 400N, etc. It is not hard to think ahead when the traffic starts to flow, remember that another back up is coming soon, and let up on the gas pedal a bit. You could floor it, get to your requisite 65 mph or more, and brake hard at the next jam. I usually watch others do this, and I will be a few cars behind them as I coast into the jam-line. They got there before me, so they could wait longer. Try it some morning. Just take a look around at the cars that are flying past you, then look for them again when you reach the next stop. Chances are, they will be a few cars ahead of you, with less gas in their tank.

This link is one of the many references you can find on the net.

http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/17924459.html

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HappySpeeder

http://happyspeeder.com TIP: SET YOUR CRUISE ON 60MPH. SEE WEBSITE ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION! CHECK IT OUT ! Acceleration burns fuel,Acceleration wastes gas, Speeding decreases gas efficiency, but it sure is fun.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbGuKKYtqtI>

Who does not love the feeling of peeling off at the red light? Having a car with quick acceleration is like driving around in your own amusement park ride. Adrenaline RUSH!

Today, "green car" means more than that old gremlin or station wagon. People and technology are reacting to the reports that the pollution from our cars is contributing to changes in the climate. Driving with the environment or your pocketbook in mind means backing off on acceleration. Keep your foot off the pedal more and save a lot of money. Burning gas is wasting money - among other things.

ChoosingToCruise recommends making small changes now, before our government decides to take that option away from us. British parliment is already proposing a "carbon limit" on it's citizens. America is the land of the free! Let's use our freedom wisely and ChooseToCruise. Speed when you want to! Slow down and save a little when you want to!

GO AHEAD AND PASS! I'M SAVING GAS.

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TAKE THE PEDAL OFF THE METAL!

Free tips for saving gas, safely and sanely. http://happyspeeder.com/

I love speed, I love to speed. When I graduated from college, I bought a Toyota MR2 - and promptly got 3 speeding tickets and dropped from my insurance. The cost of speeding was my motivation for slowing down, I did not like it, but I did not want to PAY for speeding. I had read that as long as you don't go over 10 mph over the speed limit, cops won't stop you, so that is what I did. I am obviously not alone. Reference the interstate with a speed limit of 55. Who goes 55? 55 mph feels dysfunctional. If I enter the interstate on an offramp behind someone who accelerates too slow, I am afraid for my life. It is imperative to match the speed of the cars in the slow lane for a safe merge. Maybe it is self-preservation that fueled my desire for rapid acceleration. Maybe it is competitiveness. It definitely feels like a necessity when I am running late. I drive 26 miles each way to work. This drive on the weekend with interstate travel takes less than 45 minutes. During the week, however, I plan on an hour and a half. The night commute, with rain, can be more than 2 hours. The commute is tolerable for me ONLY because I enjoy listening to books on tape and drinking coffee. The morning commute gives me time to wake up, and by the time I reach my destination, I am eager to stretch my legs and get the day started. Most people do not share my joy. Before I discovered books-on-tape, I HATED to commute. I chose work that did not involve commuting because of the hated commute. My choice resulted in a lower, less dependable income, but I felt I was choosing Quality over Quantity. When my financial situation changed, though, I had to bite the bullet and take a job with a commute. I only work 3 or 4 days a week, but the pain at the pump is enough to inspire me to seek change.

SO, once again, the cost of speeding(or just plain driving) is motivating me to change the way I drive. I have to work, I love my job, I have to commute to my job, I have to drive( no mass transportation options), and I am cheap. I am also observant. I noticed that I save money if I dont drive so fast. I save money when I take the pedal off the metal. I save money when I choose to set the cruise control and let other people pass. I arrive at work on time, often only 5 minutes after the people who were shaking their head at me as they passed me on the interstate. They only sat longer at the red light and/or traffic-jam than me. I empathize with them, though. I have been a head shaker, I have shot the "dirty look". But for now, for economy's sake, and because I have the choice; I SAY:

GO AHEAD AND PASS I'M SAVING GAS!!!

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