$4-a-gallon gas hasn’t slowed N.C. motorists
Apparently, the price of fuel has not gotten high enough yet. I drive the interstate each work day and most vehicles speed on as if the drivers think the price of gas and diesel is still a dollar a gallon. I see cars going at least 10 mph over the posted speed limit, and this includes both private autos and police cars.
Police cars, obviously not on any emergency call, including State Highway Patrol, county sheriff, and police cars from other towns and cities, speed on with impunity. Many truck divers with diesel prices nearing $5 a gallon, exceed the speed limit by at least five to 10 mph. It appears that speed and convenience are still more important to us than the hit we’re taking in the pocketbook.
I don’t know what the price of fuel will have to reach before it slows people down in order to conserve more, but with our present way of driving, it looks like the price will have to keep on climbing for a while yet.
Tim Martin
Greensboro
Comments (5)
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Good job Tim. Keep us posted, K?
Posted on June 4, 2008 7:16 AM
By extension we can claim the same of people who shop at higher priced grocery stores, wear designer clothing, eat at expensive restaurants, etc.
The speeding issue aside, its a matter of convenience. If I'm going to be on the road for three hours at the speed limit and have it cost me $50 in gas or decide to drive faster and make the trip in 2.5 hours which adds an additional $10 in fuel spent it's my choice.
It's moral relativism for the millennium. At least I'm not eating baby animals, wearing fur, killing whales or putting my recyclables in the garbage.
Posted on June 4, 2008 9:43 AM
Tim, what are you doing on the highway in the first place? All the best people are riding bicycles or taking public transportation. Even at the posted speed, your carbon footprint is unconscionable. I hope you're buying carbon credits from a reputable broker.
Take a look in the mirror, dude, before you decide to scold the other guy.
Posted on June 4, 2008 2:01 PM
Way to go, Tim!
I expect that hugh and brian444 are writing their posts while sitting in the drive-thru line that winds several times around the local Chick-fil-a or while sitting on Battleground for twenty minutes waiting to get into Biscuitville. We all know it's a God-given right to blow through four or five gallons of gasoline sitting in your escalade running the air conditioning at full tilt instead of parking the car, getting at least a modicum of exercise walking the twenty-five feet into the building to pick up your super-sized meal.
The real point - there are lots of ways the people waste gasoline. It's usually the more blatant offenders who are quickest to point their fingers back at those who point out the brave citizens who stand up for principle rather than offer solutions.
And for the record (so that hugh and brian can save their response/attack): I've never been to Biscuitville, and I never use a drive-thru unless I can drive right up for service (It's always, without exception, faster to go inside if there's a line.)
Posted on June 4, 2008 11:05 PM
That's why I don't stop at traffic signals or stop signs anymore. I'm trying to save gas.
So if you see a purple Dodge careening down Battleground, get outta the way!
Posted on June 5, 2008 11:16 AM