Save fuel now, crash later

Drivers in the US, shocked at fuel costs that have risen to nearly half the price of those in Europe, have taken to using 'hypermiling' techniques to economise. Such techniques involve accelerating gently, minimising use of braking, switching off engines and coasting down gradients. Other more controversial techniques involve inflating tyres to excessive pressures to reduce rolling resistance as well as 'slipstreaming' on highways by driving close to the vehicle in front to reduce air resistance. While wish
July 17, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Drivers in the US, shocked at fuel costs that have risen to nearly half the price of those in Europe, have taken to using 'hypermiling' techniques to economise. Such techniques involve accelerating gently, minimising use of braking, switching off engines and coasting down gradients. Other more controversial techniques involve inflating tyres to excessive pressures to reduce rolling resistance as well as 'slipstreaming' on highways by driving close to the vehicle in front to reduce air resistance. While wishing to save fuel is laudable, US drivers would do well to choose more economical vehicles instead. The cost of crashes caused by over-inflating tyres and driving too close to the vehicle in front will far outweigh the value of the fuel saved.

Related Content

  • New fuel economy targets could cut motoring costs in Europe
    May 18, 2012
    Europe’s drivers will be able to save enormous sums of money if ambitious fuel economy targets are introduced by the EU this July. This claim has been made by a former UK Environment Agency chief, Malcolm Fergusson. His study predicts that annual fuel costs for Europe’s drivers could fall by about 23% by 2020 if the currently expected EU fuel efficiency target of 95grammes of CO2 emissions/km for new cars and 147grammes/km for vans is confirmed by the European Commission in July, as expected. If the target
    Read More
  • Safety concern on DUI in specific US states
    July 26, 2021
    There is a road safety concern on DUI in US states where marijuana use is legalised.
    Read More
  • Deer pose risk to Ohio drivers
    October 5, 2015
    The authorities in the US state of Ohio have highlighted the increased risk of crashes involving deer. This is due to a combination of factors including fewer daylight hours and the increased movement of deer due to mating season, along with the hunting season. The road identified as having the greatest risk in the state is State Route 64 in Lucas County between Reed Road and US Route 20 Airport Highway. This road suffered 19 crashes in 2014.
    Read More
  • UK: vehicle overloading convictions down but problem persists
    March 9, 2015
    Overloading of vehicles in the United Kingdom continues to be a serious issue, according to data from the government’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). The report, Annual Effectiveness 2013/2014, documents data on driving offences for heavy and light goods vehicles, public service vehicles and trailers. The number of convictions for overloading heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) was 147, down from 231 in 2012/13 and 166 a year earlier. But overloading rema
    Read More

Highlighted Content