CNN.com shares 5 ways to avoid a speeding ticket

Top ten ways to avoid a speeding ticket, first five: Cheap and easy, these suggestions might not save you gas, but they are intended to save you the cost of a speeding ticket. To me, the tips are aimed at interstate travelers, but you may see something different. I split the list for two manageable bits of travel commentary. Visit the original article here for the full story.

Drive within 5-10 mph of surrounding traffic I have been told by a reputable source that driving less than 10 mph over the speed limit is generally accepted due to the margin of error implicit in radar speed detection. To date, that theory has proven true for me, I would love to here from someone who has experienced otherwise -though.

Try to stay in the middle of the pack: Personally, I stay OUT of the pack. My mom always warned against travelling in "the pack" and I agree. Just notice how interstate wrecks usually occur: one car drifts over in to the other lane and the car behind him doesn't have time to navigate out of the way; or a sudden brake. Driving at least one car length for every 10 mph is a good rule to drive by.

Find a 'rabbit': In other words, assume a reasonable distance behind a fellow speeder, in hopes that a radar would lock on the line leader first. Much to my chagrin, I am forced to report the fallacy of this tip. I have been in the middle of three happy speeding cars pulled over. The cop asked if we were acquaintances, traveling together. "NO", but I did think there was safety in numbers. Apparently, not to a diligent traffic cop. To this day, if I am driving near a car being directed to pull over, I avoid eye contact with the patrolman so he can't wave me over as well.

Don't change lanes frequently, tailgate,or drive aggressively: Not only do you increase your risk of causing an accident, when you drive like that, you waste gas (see prior blog Save fuel or 7 minutes).

Avoid the fast lane: All I know is you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Avoiding the fast lane means driving on the right where the congestion is greater, and cars are entering and exiting the highway, so you would think being farther from on/off ramps would be safer. Also, when you are in the fast lane, you don't have to watch your left side mirror... but you had better watch in your rear-view mirror for the "AngrySpeeder". Even driving 75mph is often not fast enough, and "AngrySpeeder" will let you know how much you have inconvenienced him when he passes you after honking, flashing his lights and tailgating dangerously close to get your attention. I'll save further thoughts on this topic for another blog, like this one. See: A Civil Car is Cheap.

To summarize, I must state emphatically that though I love the thrill of speed (see blog SPEED), and I support your freedom to choose your speed(see blog CHOOSE), you are responsible for your own car, driving, speeding, and tickets ( see former speedaholic learns to slow down), ...God knows ...I have paid for my fair share.

Happy Speeder does not condone, recommend, or support driving faster than the speed limit. All Rights Reserved.

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A "civil"car is a cheap investment in fuel economy.

don't be a hater...

Slurping my coffee, I hear the honk from behind demanding that I accelerate faster. God forbid there is a car length between my front bumper and the car ahead. I am sorry that my car is not advancing as fast as you think that it should. I lift my foot off of the brake and my car rolls forward, without acceleration, to advance the 5 feet of open road that have just become available. Go ahead! whip your car out in front of that other moving vehicle, floor your gas pedal and quickly jerk the steering wheel back into the lane in front of my car.

This phenomenon was new to me before I changed jobs about a year ago and began driving at peak traffic time on a highway that merges (or bleeds) into Georgia interstate 285. Before then, I had encountered such traffic occasionally, without warning, and let's face it; when reality does not meet expectation, tolerance can be scarce.

But on 285? At 8:00 a.m. -what did you expect? Unless you have a flying Jetson-mobile, you are not going to move faster than the lines of traffic that appear endlessly before you. Even if you tailgate the car in front of you and refuse to allow anyone who had the misfortune of not changing lanes as soon as you did to merge; you will not get to work faster. No, you gain nothing.... except control.

But at what cost?

Besides the damage to your cardiovascular system from stress and hate; you expend unnecessary gasoline with each push of the pedal. Assuming you drive aggressively throughout your commute, you may be spending as much as 30% more on your fuel than you have to.(see "Slowing down a little saves a lot")

Gaining 60 inches of road before your fellow commuter is like pushing the "close" button instead of holding the elevator for the person 2 seconds away. And how do you feel when that grateful person smiles and thanks you? Personally,I feel happy, just as I do when I allow cars to merge in front of me, knowing that I am relieving some of their stress as well as my own. Who knows? I may be preventing an accident ahead of me from that same desperate driver's failed attempt to wedge himself in front of an unwilling "merge snob".

All I am saying is face the reality. Embrace rush hour, anticipate it, benefit from it, don't worry, and be a HAPPY SPEEDER.

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Travel news for the summer is unexpectedly good

GOOD NEWS! Oil falls $5 for the week Why?

"An Energy Department report released Wednesday showed that gasoline demand in the United States last week had fallen 2.4% from the same period last year. And a weekly survey of filling station credit card swipes from MasterCard recorded declining demand for the 13th week in a row." reported by: Kenneth Musante at cnnmoney.com on July 25, 2008

Better News!

Oil Prices Fall As Storm Misses Rigs by Mark Huffman at Consumeraffairs.com on July 22, 2008

This article references a few factors that have helped pop the rising oil bubble, including; U.S. Senate's probe into the consequences of oil speculation, a good weather forecast, and a reversal of the falling value of the dollar. The dollar has continued a slight strengthening against the euro this week, reducing oil's appeal to investors. Here Mark explains: "Analysts say traders sold futures contracts after weather forecasters reported that the tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico will bypass the oil rigs. It was the damage to rigs caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that began oil's rapid ascent."

I am pumped about this -no pun intended. As you know, I like to save money,and cheaper oil represents my kind of investment. How much has the decreased American demand for gas affected the price of a barrel of oil? Though not one of the reasons given, I am curious to know if the dip in price of oil has been affected by cheap drivers like me, pinching the pedal to save money. Afterall, the way I choose to improve my car's fuel economy starts in my wallet, and my wallet gets fatter the more gas I save, and a fatter wallet makes my opinion a more noticeable investment in the broader goal to decrease American dependence on foreign oil. I am already enjoying the benefit of an extra 30$ a week by using a "green pedal" approach to driving. So published evidence or not, the proof is in my purse and I lift it high to proudly proclaim: "Power to the green pedal pinchers!"

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Car magnets, bumper stickers, decals inform others

Driving to work in Atlanta is like people-watching at the mall. The variety is astounding. I never get tired of admiring the uniqueness of individuals. Some people express their personality with the car they drive; others, by the way they decorate their car. Any given commute is going to have a sample set that is somewhat limited in variety: Mine includes folks who work near the center of the city on weekdays, and who don't have to arrive before 8:00 in the morning. Traveling from the suburbs, it is a reasonable assumption that most of my commute companions live outside the urban hub, and that they are not independently wealthy. Beyond these generalizations, I have also noted the following from the stickers, decals and magnets my fellow traffic troopers place on their backside:

• Republicans out-number democrats 3 to 2, based on "W" decals.
• These folks have kids who make good grades, play sports and go to college.
• Most people attended a college or university and are proud of that fact.
• Many people are proud to be American and support our troops.

Why would these educated, family-oriented, patriotic people be among the "most likely to display Road-Rage"? In a recent article from the Washington Post, some research is described that is un-flattering to my fellow commuters.By SHANKAR VEDANTAM Washington Post Published on: 06/17/08 The article quotes a social psychologist from Colorado State University, whose research suggests that drivers of cars with bumper stickers, magnets, window decals, and personalized license plates are more likely to express frustration when someone cuts in front of them or is slow to respond to a changed traffic light. In a paper published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology, William Szlemko notes that the more bumper stickers etc. on a car, the more likely that driver is to honk, tailgate and demonstrate aggressive "communication" when they disagree with an other's driving techniques. Szlemko further noted that it does not matter whether the messages on the stickers are about peace and love — "Visualize World Peace" — or angry and in your face — "My Kid Beat Up Your Honor Student." In my opinion, these conclusions are preliminary at best, and should be further validated with larger sample sets, including drivers from different regions of the country, different times of the day, and by more than one research source. My skepticism of Mr. Szlemko's published results is based on my personal research of the driving habits of a reformed aggressive driver. While driving slower to save fuel, I am more likely to provoke road-rage than demonstrate it. In order to reduce the impact that my driving style may have on other's, my car magnet is designed to warn and inform. A little information often helps to calm the quick-tempered, and I believe that saving money on gas also relieves stress. My message is non-confrontational, non-political and non-judgemental. Sort of like-"Smile! and the world smiles with you." If you share my faith in the citizen commuter, spread the message! As a HAPPY SPEEDER proclaim:

Slowing down a little...Saves a Lot!

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Independence from 55 mph for happy speeders.

You might as well get used to it, 55 mph is going to be the limit. From CNN.com comes this headline:

National Speed limit pushed as Gas Saver.

"Sen. John Warner, A REPUBLICAN! asked Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman to look into what speed limit would provide optimum gasoline efficiency given current technology. He said he wants to know if the administration might support efforts in Congress to require a lower speed limit. In 1974, congress set a national 55 mph speed limit because of energy shortages caused by the Arab oil embargo. The speed limit was repealed in 1995 when crude oil dipped to $17 a barrel and gasoline cost $1.10 a gallon." cnn.com

I don't like it!...where in the constitution does it specify that we are free to pursue our happiness and liberty as long as oil is plentiful?! I am an advocate of driving slower to save fuel, but I also believe in freedom. Just the other day, I excercised my freedom to utilize the speed limit of 75 mph to make up for hitting the snooze button. (see: demand for gas increases in summer ) By mandating that no American is allowed to exceed 55 mph, congress would be implying that we the people, are not smart enough to make wise choices regarding our national resources. I resent the implication, and I don't think that our founding fathers would approve, either.

Happy Speeder. all rights reserved

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If the law required day-time running lights, would that waste fuel?

Even is there are no injuries, a happyspeeder knows that a motor vehicle accident will "wreck" your day, not to mention your insurance premiums. Thankfully, there are a number of standard features that make most new cars safer than 20 years ago. Day-time running lights are one example and insurance companies offer discounts for vehicles with this feature.... But what about your fuel efficiency? Do daytime running lights waste your gas? Physics Stuff blogger demonstrates the calculations to determine the answer to this ongoing debate (just kidding, I've never thought about it) on his blog site. Based on his calculations, there is no debate. The fact is, reducing your speed by 1 mph will save more fuel than turning off your daytime running lights. Another source for the math behind this science can be found at: "How stuff works" . Bottom line: Leave your day-time running lights on! They may prevent an accident. If you are really concerned about wasting the fuel: Slowing down a little... Saves a lot! tm

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Choose to use less fuel before the Law changes and you have No Choice!

March 26, 2008 -"The American Trucking Associations is calling for a nationwide, 65-mph speed limit.... A highway slowdown has begun in response to high energy prices—and the big trucking companies are leading the way. Con-Way Freight, one of the nation's largest trucking firms with 8,500 rigs, has announced it is turning back the electronic speed limiters in its entire fleet from 65 miles per hour to 62 mph." More info available in original article at U.S. News & World Report. Easing up on my lead foot, and setting the cruise control to 60 mph, are easy changes for me to make. Choosing to save fuel is my right, and I am proud to do it, because I believe that using less fuel is smart for the future of America. Luckily, I live in a democracy, so I don't have to worry about my government forcing me to change how I commute - right? The truth is, many laws are passed based on the votes of our elected officials, whose opinions may be influenced by powerful lobby groups. If an informed America votes to require everyone to drive slower, then so be it. I hope folks take advantage of the opportunities that their anscestors fought and died for; investigate the truth, stay involved and VOTE! In the immortal words of Lee Greenwood: "I'm Proud to be an American, were at least I know I'm free...." by Happy Speeder

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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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