Are drivers slowing down?

Yes, they think they are saving gas by driving 10-15 mph under the speed limit on the freakin' highways here. I hope they are still happy with their savings when they cause someone to have an accident. I'm tired of it, personally. If 55 is too fast or too much gas, they need to take a different route, seriously.

I dont know about other drivers but I do some coasting personally. I want to try to save gas whenever and wherever possible. I live in a rural area so it is easy for me to use these techniques. I want to try to use these strategies to hopefully save alittle bit on gas. The prices are so out of control.

The only thing I have noticed is that I see a couple of more people walking. That's about it though. Depending on what road you are driving you probably can't slow down anymore where I live. The traffic has gotten terrible where I live in the past couple of years. There is so much traffic here it's unbelievable. I have just got used to it now, but a couple of years ago everyone was complaining about the traffic.

me, I reduce mile to drive.If the place is not so far,
I just walk there.
If not necessary to go, I'll not go and save diesel for this.

I am an American currently residing in Germany. I do not see a change in driving from others here. Everyone tends to drive very fast but a majority of Germans ride their bikes or walk to places. I have only been here a year but I have been told it is like this becuase it cost 2,000 Euro to get a German drivers license. As for me, my American made van is not built to go the speed European cars go so I go as fast as it will allow me regardless of gas prices.

Yes they are slowing down in my area. The state patrol here said that the number of fatal accidets has really gone down becasue people are slowing down so one good thing has come of the gas prices. I stay at the speed limit I don't go under it though.

I try to conserve fuel as much as possible as well. If I am approaching a red traffic light, I slow down hoping it will turn green before I have to actually have to come to a complete stop, that helps on the fuel used at acceleration. I also use cruise control while on the highway, that actually saves more than most people realize. Most people use the gas pedal more while driving on the highway while following traffic, if you use cruise it keeps you at one even speed and it saved me 6 mile per gallon used. I try to go the speed limit and not speed and I coast going down the hills. I never let my tank get below 1/2 full, I was told this will have save fuel too, less air in your tank for evaporation of the fuel. I keep my tires at the right level of air and make sure my tune ups are done regularly. Clean fuel filters, air filters, oil, plugs ands wires all help keep you fuel usage down.
It helps when your husband is a mechanic like mine, he insists that all these things are properly done. In total I have increased my miles per gallon by 8 miles.
I also do not jump in the car to run to the store for little things. I do a lot of driving for my job and I manage to plan ahead on where I am going for the day and what stores are on my way home from work. I also carry a cooler in the back of my car just in case I need to bring home cold or hot items from the store further away from home. No sense in going past where I live to go to the store if I can stop at one on the same road I am driving on in my travels to my home.

I've heard that driving slowly actually takes care of the engine therefore you use your gas more efficiently. Sudden steps on the brakes and gas actually strain the engine and of course because of that it uses more fuel. I think that driving in th9is way could actually help in lessening expenses for fuel

Hi malanie,
Yes I have noticed that they are slowing down here in California. It is actually kind of nice to drive on the freeway now. They used to drive 80 - 100. Now it is the speed limit 65. I don't mind so much driving on the freeway now. LOL

Funny you mention that - I was just listening to the news on Friday and they say they want to (legally) reduce the speed limits back to 55 from 65/75 because the slower speed economizes on gas. But they are saying why bother as no one will adhere to the limit. But those of us that will adhere to the limit to make our gas last longer, dont' get to slow down. I think they should make the limit 55 and anyone going faster can get a ticket or just speed on by and let the rest of us get more gas mileage.