Skip to main content

Fuel savings

Police in the US and the UK are being forced to tackle motoring expenses due to rising fuel costs. In various US states, police are being told to turn off engines and air-conditioning when vehicles are at rest and that patrols should open windows and park under trees to stay cool on warm days. In some states, drivers stopped for speeding will also have to pay a fuel surcharge on top of their fine, to cover the cost of the fuel used in their pursuit. Meanwhile in the UK, the Devon and Cornwall police force i
July 19, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Police in the US and the UK are being forced to tackle motoring expenses due to rising fuel costs. In various US states, police are being told to turn off engines and air-conditioning when vehicles are at rest and that patrols should open windows and park under trees to stay cool on warm days. In some states, drivers stopped for speeding will also have to pay a fuel surcharge on top of their fine, to cover the cost of the fuel used in their pursuit. Meanwhile in the UK, the Devon and Cornwall police force is buying 120 bicycles for use by its officers on local patrols, as well as introducing car-sharing for officers attending meetings or non-urgent calls. Devon and Cornwall police force has seen its fuel bill rise some £300,000 to £2.5 million/year due to price hikes.

And in English city Plymouth, road users complaining about fuel prices recently opted for a leisurely pony and trap, instead of driving a car or truck during a go-slow protest drive around the city.

Related Content

  • MIRA builds on reputation for transport excellence
    October 3, 2012
    MIRA in central England has begun a huge redevelopment of its 830 acre site that will see the renowned centre for transport technologies expand its capabilities while, at the same time, create the largest transport research and development technology park in Europe. Guy Woodford reports This is all very impressive,” said Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in April 2011 on hearing a presentation of MIRA’s ambitious expansion plans. As succinct appraisals go, Clegg’s view of MIRA’s plans to develop its brand of
  • Napier University and RPS study looks at UK cycle lanes
    January 9, 2015
    A new UK report suggests local authorities should think twice about automatically incorporating cycle lanes in road design. David Arminas reports Environmental and social arguments for getting more people onto bicycles are well known. The theory is the more people cycling, the less traffic congestion and less air pollution from cars. Well-defined cycle lanes can encourage people who might otherwise be too nervous to take to a bicycle. But just how effective are cycle lanes for increasing the safety of
  • Kids in Cars: from curious to furious during the summer road trip
    August 20, 2015
    Kids start to complain about the amount of time in a car after two 2 and 23 minutes of driving, according to research in the UK. Around that time, the driver will hear from the back seat the first of a long list of complaints: “Are we nearly there yet?” And by 2 hours and 37 minutes, angry rows have broken out. These squabbles are almost inevitable, noted the study from the UK’s Highways England. Nearly 80% of families say kids quarrel during long-distance summer trips. Many parents said this happens wi
  • Earthmoving in advance – new technologies for shifting dirt
    February 9, 2018
    Earthmoving machine manufacturers are developing innovative new solutions for customers - Mike Woof reports. In the separate markets for excavators, wheeled loaders, graders and dozers, new models are being unveiled from several key firms. The excavator market is one of the most competitive and it is no surprise that some of the most innovative machines are being developed for this segment. Excavating One of the most significant excavator launches has been for the latest Hitachi hybrid model, which i