Life in the right lane
The other day, we were driving to Home Depot and a family passed us in their minivan. No big deal. Lots of people pass us, but I guess they failed Math 101. Here’s the question: Does going over the posted speed limit to get you to a destination faster justify increased accident risk, fuel consumption, an unhappy spouse, friend or whomever?
Let’s do a little math: A 60 mile trip at 60 mph will get you to your destination in 60 minutes. Pump it up to 70 mph and you shave nine minutes off your drive. At 75 mph, you’ll be there 12 minutes sooner than traveling at 60 mph. A shorter trip of 30 miles at 75 mph would get you to your destination six minutes sooner. A speeding ticket in my state starts around $200, not to mention an increased insurance rate. You get the idea.
Life in the right lane isn’t too bad. I used to drive a good 10 mph over posted limits; it was just my way of being rebellious. Now that I’m driving slower (not real slow, but slower) life seems a little less stressful. Oh, I still watch for brake lights ahead, and areas known to hide ticket writers, yet I just feel a little better by using less gas and working out math equations. Do you know that one gallon of gas weights about eight pounds and puts about 10 pounds of carbon in the air? Very interesting…
Just watching my cars’ trip computer, the difference in fuel consumption was about seven miles per gallon (from 75 mph to 65 mph, maybe even better if I slowed to 60, which is unlikely). Even a five mph difference with a 20-gallon gas tank, I get that 100 extra miles or the difference between one extra gas stop on our long commute north every so often.
I don’t know about you, but many times someone passes me, only to meet up at the same exit few minutes later. Something to think about…
On a semi-related note, for those of you who own an XC60, go have a great weekend. For the rest of us, governmental crash data shows that about 75 percent of all accidents occur below 10 mph. Nuisance, pain-in-the-neck, bumper busters; ones that can cause thousands in damages, not to mention whiplash injuries. Just be careful and don’t follow too close to that car in front of you.
Finally, remind one friend to buckle up rear seated passengers.
Take care and have a wonderful July 4th weekend.
Dan
