Higher Gas prices = Better Drivers? I hope gas goes up

General Discussion
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I’m in the group of drivers that doesn’t change their driving behaviors as a result of increased gas prices. I drive the speed I drive because it feels natural and safe to me. But of course what is natural and safe to me is different for other drivers.

I drive faster than most drivers, but because the natural speed for me tends to be higher than the speed limit. Most of the time I’m not in any hurry, but driving the speed limit at times can seem unnaturally slow. On some roads that might mean driving 45 in a 30, or on others it could mean driving 35 in a 35.

Speed limits can be extremely arbitrary. For example on one of my commutes between home and work there is a road with a speed limit of 35. This road is average width, windy, and residential. In a different area of the same town, there is a road with a speed limit of 30, and the road is also residential, but very wide and completely straight. I drive faster on the wide straight road than I do on the average windy road, despite the speed limits indicating otherwise.

@MikeInNH‌
You said I have ZERO control over how others drive.
I must wholeheartedly disagree. If person A is driving along at 25, and a car driven by B is coming up behind them at 35, they have to slow down to 25 because of person A. The person in front is controlling the driving of the person behind them, whether they realize this or not.

To me, driving can be very relaxing or extremely frustrating, depending on whether I am driving my own natural speed or if my driving speed is being controlled by someone else. I’d prefer to drive for two hours on open roads than for 30 minutes in traffic, and often I will drive the longer distance just to avoid being in traffic. I’m in no hurry, I just prefer to be in control.

Sometimes if I am caught behind a slow driver and there is nowhere to pass and there is nobody behind me to inconvenience, I will just take my foot off the gas and slow down to ~10mph until I see someone coming up the road behind me. Then I will speed up and drive my natural speed until I get to the slow car again. I don’t get where I’m going any sooner, but it feels good to gain those 30 seconds of simply driving how I like to drive, instead of matching somebody else’s preferences.

162

I hate to belabor a point, but the problem is not that other people drive over the speed limit or that other people drive aggressively. The problem is that when other people speed and drive aggressively, you have a choice; you can let other people’s aggressive behavior beget your aggressive behavior, or you can choose to not let it affect the way you drive your car.

I’m sorry, but if you think you’re justified tailgating the car in front of you because you’re afraid someone else might pull into the space between your car and the car in front of you, you have allowed someone else’s aggression beget aggression in you. Seriously, what’s going to happen if you let someone change lanes in front of you instead of closing the gap and forcing that person to change lanes behind you? I’ll tell you what those horrible consequences will be: you might arrive a few seconds later at your destination than you otherwise would have. Heaven forbid you’re one car length farther from your next red light than you would have been.

Aggressive driving is a serious problem, and if you let aggression beget aggression, you’re only making the problem worse. If you drive courteously, you might start a trend. Seeing you politely let someone change lanes in front of you might soften the heart of the person you let in, and slowly, things might begin to get better.

If you’re going to complain about other aggressive drivers, and you let their aggressive behavior change the way you drive, I don’t think you have a right to complain, because you’re contributing to the problem you’re complaining about. If you’re okay with that, fine. For a long time, I did the same thing. However, I know aggression begets more aggression, and kindness begets kindness, so I try to behave in a manner I would like see other drivers exhibit.

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@starman1‌
I appreciate your ability to discern your “natural speed” regardless of speed limit signs and mother nature. In our state, one of th biggest concerns, even on so call protected free ways is animal traffic. Are they part if your calculus in define your natural speed ? That was one of the most contentious points in raising speed limits in our state.

Yes, some times you cannot avoid a moose or deer no matter how slow you drive, but some times the animal can cause much greater damage. It’s going to be interesting to see how this nation wide increase in speed limit movement plays into fatality statistics.

Heck, maybe we can (should) ultimately just put up signs and let everyone drive their “natural speed”. Heh, whatever works for you should be ok for everyother driver out there. You have an apt handle…:wink:

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@dagosa‌
If I’m analyzing how I come to my natural speeds, I would separate highway driving from residential / non-highway driving. But I do not consider animal traffic in coming to my natural speed in either situation.

For non-highway driving, my natural speed accounts for the possibility that a child might come chasing a ball into the road, and I need to be able to stop or otherwise avoid an accident that could result. No need to consider animal traffic here because I’m already limiting my speed for the possibility of a human running into the road.

But on highways, I don’t limit my speed for the possibility that an animal or person could jump out onto the road at any moment. I am sufficiently in control to be able to stop short of hitting anything that is already in the road, but I feel the likelihood of anyone or anything charging out into the middle of the highway unexpectedly is very low. Even if I was driving at the posted speed limit it . would be very difficult to avoid such a situation should it occur.

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the car you drive and the way it handles , as well as traffic conditions often helps determine a safe speed to drive

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@‌chunkyazian

Speed differential is not a problem, until you crash into the obstacle

It’s the speed differential that creates the problem in the first place ( to clarify, I’m talking about two or more moving vehicles, not a vehicle vs. a static object). And as I mentioned before it doesn’t have involve speeding, someone could be going 55 MPH in a 65 MPH zone and run up on someone doing 45 MPH. I get what you’re saying though, it’s not the speed that kills you, it’s the sudden stop.

As the driver in a faster moving vehicle coming up from behind, it’s your RESPONSIBILITY to notice the object in your path getting bigger and bigger well in advance.

I agree for the most part, but it can be situational. If the person creating the excessive speed differential is plodding along in the left lane at 15 MPH below the prevailing speed, then that person is not following proper lane protocol and should yield to faster traffic by moving over to the right lane. In such a scenario it would be the slower driver’s responsibility to move out of the way.

167
You said I have ZERO control over how others drive.

We’re talking about on the highway…NOT a single lane road. Sure on a single lane road…but all that person has to do is go around…and viola…I no longer have control. You can only be responsible for how you drive…NOT how other people drive.

168
I'm sorry, but if you think you're justified tailgating the car in front of you because you're afraid someone else might pull into the space between your car and the car in front of you

Where did anyone say anything about tailgating. I said that if you leave a fair distance…you won’t have it for long because someone WILL (not likely…they WILL) pull in that space. In fact probably 2-3 will. The ONLY way for you to STOP this is to get off the highway or keep slowing down when someone does that to you so you can maintain your distance. And that is IMPOSSIBLE to do. You may think you can…but you can’t. Because the minute you slow down to increase that distance…MORE cars will squeeze in. You either live it…or get off the highway.

I try not to tailgate. But it’s IMPOSSIBLE to maintain a safe distance in MA or NH when traffic is moderately heavy. Sorry…that’s a FACT.

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"If you drive courteously, you might start a trend."
Whitey, I absolutely agree. So drive courteously, keep up with the flow of traffic.

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@starman1‌
So, it would be worthwhile for everyone else to to do the same, unless you think you are special ? You can’t own the right to do this and no one, including drivers under the influence as they KNOW their limits where going above the speed limit is involved, should be limited.

There are many drivers out there who think they can handle texting safely as well at any speed. According to your standards, they should be given a free pass too to drive naturally and continue texting while adjusting their speed according to their instincts. How about the drivers who overload their vehicles because they feel they have a natural instinct to adjust in an emergency. This pertains to truck drivers who should have no weight restrictions or speed or route restriction. They are just as capable as you as professional drivers with keenly developed instincts.

Driving naturally also includes those who feel they have the instinct to do just about anything they selfishly darn well please.

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Speed differentials around 10 MPH are not much of a problem. It is when the differential approaches 30 MPH that it becomes problematic. Add to that weaving and tailgating which are common during rush hour around here, and it is surprising that there aren’t more accidents.

And I don’t buy the faster is safer idea. There are people that must be going 90 during the morning rush on I-95. I’m going 65 to 70 and they pass me like I’m standing still. Should we all go 90 if a few of the fastest drivers are? What if a few drivers are going 120? Should we all try to keep up? I can’t imagine 18-wheelers going 90. But they would have to to make the highways safer if faster is truly safer. How long would it take for a big truck to stop from 90?

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@jtsanders , you should simply drive at the prevailing speed, or the speed that around 85% of people are driving at. There’s always going to be someone going way faster (or slower) than the prevailing speed, those people are the ones who are creating the largest speed differential and are the biggest problems. If 8 out 10 people are going 90 MPH on your morning commute and you’re doing 70, then yes, you should speed up. But if most everyone else is doing 70 MPH and there’s only a comparative few that are doing 90 MPH, then the people who are driving much faster that prevailing traffic are the ones creating the problem

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you should simply drive at the prevailing speed, or the speed that around 85% of people are driving at. There's always going to be someone going way faster (or slower) than the prevailing speed, those people are the ones who are creating the largest speed differential and are the biggest problems. If 8 out 10 people are going 90 MPH on your morning commute and you're doing 70, then yes, you should speed up. But if most everyone else is doing 70 MPH and there's only a comparative few that are doing 90 MPH, then the people who are driving much faster that prevailing traffic are the ones creating the problem

What about the days when I am in the big bucket truck pulling a wire trailer? Should I drive the same speed as everyone else, or should I use my best judgement and sense and drive the speed limit?

If 85% of the drivers are going 20 over and I am as well and I get a ticket and lose my CDL and therefore my job, can I move in with you? Will you support me?

How many wrecks have you had? I have had none, pretty amazing for a driver that refuses to speed.

Whats the difference if you have a blowout at 90mph vs 70mph? You would be suprised.

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@JT,you would probaly be suprised how far it takes 80K to stop@90mph,speed doesnt create safety even the the best drivers in the world have crashes at speed,we simply need stricter standards for drivers and for the Walter Mittys of the world ,watch out,you are probaly not as good as you think-Kevin

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@fodaddy
I agree for the most part, but it can be situational. If the person creating the excessive speed differential is plodding along in the left lane at 15 MPH below the prevailing speed, then that person is not following proper lane protocol and should yield to faster traffic by moving over to the right lane. In such a scenario it would be the slower driver’s responsibility to move out of the way. – Just as other drivers are not suppose to enforce speed limit, you are not suppose to enforce lane usage. If I’m in the left lane and someone is blocking it, I would be looking for a gap on the right to pass, not tailgate the slower vehicle.

I used to go 55 in a 65 zone during my commute, but I always stayed on the right. The smaller fuel bill was worth getting up a few minutes early. I would say 1 out of 20 drivers would turn on the high beam behind me instead of passing on a 8 lane highway.

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I find that when I’m in traffic, it helps to refuse to even look at the speedometer. If you don’t know exactly how fast you are going, suddenly all the people around you are actually driving at a reasonable speed and you don’t get so angry because your speedometer is not displaying some sacred number.
It’s one trick I have learned to avoid experiencing road rage.
Another trick is when you are stuck behind a slow driver on a one lane road, just pull over and take a minute long break. Shut the engine off and actually time a minute on your watch. Then take off and drive your normal speed. You will probably never catch up with that slow driver unless it’s a really long road.
Most of us totally overestimate the time gained by speeding and totally underestimate the time lost by stopping somewhere.

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@kmccune‌, I would not be at all surprised. If it takes an 80,000# vehicle 454 feet to stop from 60 MPH plus 71 feet for reaction time; a total of 525 feet. If that same truck is going 90, reaction time is 97 feet and stopping distance is 872 feet. That is a total of 969 feet! No wonder trucks run over stopped traffic in front of them on the interstate. Do yourself a favor if you are stopped for any length of time on the interstate with a few vehicles behind you. Get out of the car and onto the shoulder. My best friend as a child died when his car w run over by a semi.

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@‌chunkyazian – Just as other drivers are not suppose to enforce speed limit, you are not suppose to enforce lane usage.

I shouldn’t have to nor should anyone else, it’s something everyone should automatically know upon receiving their license. Fortunately some jurisdictions are starting to crack down on proper lane discipline.

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@‌WhereisRick

What about the days when I am in the big bucket truck pulling a wire trailer? Should I drive the same speed as everyone else, or should I use my best judgement and sense and drive the speed limit?

In an earlier post I mentioned that “one should drive in a manner that compliments the type of vehicle you’re driving.” If you’re driving a commercial truck, then you should try to drive it appropriately for the conditions. If your truck won’t keep with traffic safely, then simply stick to right lane.

How many wrecks have you had? I have had none, pretty amazing for a driver that refuses to speed.

If you must know, aside from a small excursion into a ditch when I was 16, in which simply didn’t turn sharply enough, and meandered into a ditch on the side of the road at about 10 MPH (no damage to the truck, and was able to walk back home, call a buddy with a truck and tow strap in order to extricate my truck from the ditch). I have had zero accidents where I was at fault. The only other collision I had was when a snow plow driver (who had a CDL) managed to hit my car. I was stopped in the road, but the blade on his plow encroached into my lane significantly it hit the front of my car. Fortunately the damage wasn’t terrible, the front bumper cover was split and that was about it. The county’s insurance covered it, I don’t know if the driver was actually charged with anything though.

My driving record is clean as well. I have had two speeding tickets in nearly 20 years of driving, but none in the past 15 years.

Whats the difference if you have a blowout at 90mph vs 70mph? You would be suprised.

I imagine there would be a significant difference. Then again it’s probably not a good idea to drive a medium-duty or heavy duty truck at speeds that high.

Funnily enough, several years ago, when I was selling Fords, I had the opportunity, more specifically I was instructed to drive a medium duty F-750 dump truck to a local venue where Toby Keith was performing that night, Ford was a sponsor the concert and they wanted some Ford trucks posted around the venue. I don’t have CDL, but my GM didn’t really care. The truck I drove had a Cummins diesel and thankfully an automatic transmission. I drove the F-750 about 10 miles on the highway and another mile or so on city streets. It went well, I didn’t hit anything, nor did I cause any accidents. It really wasn’t as hard as I envisioned it would be. Of course the truck was unloaded too.

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“There’s always going to be someone going way faster (or slower) than the prevailing speed”

But what if that someone is doing 85 in a 65, when everybody else is doing 65-70

What if that someone was driving at his “natural speed”

Maybe the highway patrol officer who pulls him over won’t give him a ticket, because he’s such a safe driver, because he said he’s driving at his “natural speed”

I think if you were pulled over, and mentioned your “natural speed” to the officer, he might be tempted to haul you in, for suspected drug use

So all speeders who are going their “natural speed” should not get tickets

And all the “regular” speeders should receive the tickets

C’mon . . .

“But officer, I wasn’t doing anything unsafe. I was driving at my natural speed.”