How We Drive Has Become A Financial Issue

7/10/08
By: Johnny Rister
As Americans we quickly complain when our familiar way of life gets a twist or knot that changes our routine. With fuel prices out the roof, some are making adjustments in large fashion and others are acting as if the problem will soon pass. Whatever you have chosen to do in preparation for the continually climbing prices of fuel and the ripple effects that follow, it will benefit you. Sometimes we complain and do nothing about the problem. We are now paying prices for fuel that it cost citizens of other countries for years. I’m certainly not happy about it, but it is true. So what were other countries doing while we were enjoying "Dollar" gasoline? Were they driving less? Were they driving more fuel-efficient vehicles, even 2-wheelers? Last week I visited Atlanta, Georgia and managed to make the rush hour scene on Monday. There appeared to be a change in the mode of traffic since my last trip a few weeks ago. I do not remember the pace of traffic ever being as slow as it was. With little exception, traffic could be ranked as courteous. I thought that maybe there had been a serious wreck or detour, but that wasn’t the case. The only reasonable answer I could find was the price of fuel had people backing off the pedal. The Alabama and Florida legs of the trip were a little different. Both going and coming, drivers were eager to blow your doors off. On US 231 several vehicles sped by me only to stop at a red light and wait for me to catch up. When the light changed, they would speed ahead again, only to stop at the next red light and wait for me again. I am not speaking of driving 70 MPH. I am guessing several vehicles were running closer to 90 than 70MPH. If they were racing me to the red lights, they won all the races. However, they were not winning any gas-saving contests. They probably had plenty to say about the cost when they filled up their tank. I’m sure that we have all driven too fast many times in our lives. I am also sure that everyone gets a little anxious about getting somewhere and ‘pushes’ it. When you stop at a red light and see someone you have passed ease up beside you, remember that the extra fuel you used didn’t get you ahead. We can all think more about how we are driving and can save ourselves a little more cash. As a special benefit, when you slow down you normally improve your odds of arriving alive.

Traffic Guy - Driving in the Green

May 22, 2008

Another week goes by and gasoline prices go up another twenty cents per gallon, taking away more of our "green". We ask questions and we complain but the only changes are the price signs at the gas pumps. Complaining might not be the answer, but it is the popular thing to do right now. The question has been asked, "How will we continue?" The obvious answer is, we will continue to do as we have in the past until we can’t anymore. We will consume as long as we have the funds to do so.
To illustrate the careless attitude of motorists, think about driving habits. They continue to speed, drive gas-guzzlers, rarely carpool, accelerate like drag racing from every stoplight, and sit in the drive-thru for fifteen minutes or longer at the bank or restaurant. If the price of gas doubled again it may cure some of these careless attitudes.
Just in case you are thinking about the cost of driving and what you can do to reduce this drain on your green think about small and large habits and actions to cut back on consumption. Also check out our last article with a lot of good ideas. Cutting consumption is the feasible way to slow down the drain on your wallet.
If, however, you don’t think there is a big problem personally, look over the following chart. It is a very simply designed comparison chart (at today’s gas prices) for people who have to drive a distance to work. The numbers can be chilling.
Marianna – Sneads- Marianna
5 Times Weekly
Approx. 40 Miles Daily
200 Miles
10 MPG = 20 gal
20 MPG = 10 gal
30 MPG = 7.5 gal
$75.80
$37.90
$28.43
Marianna – Graceville - Marianna
5 Times Weekly
Approx. 54 Miles Daily
270 Miles
10 MPG = 27 gal
20 MPG = 13.5 gal
30 MPG = 9 gal
$102.33
$51.17
$34.11
Marianna – Panama City - Marianna
5 Times Weekly
Approx.110 Miles Daily
550 Miles
10 MPG = 55 gal
20 MPG = 27.5gal
30 MPG = 18.34 gal
$208.45
$104.23
$69.51
Marianna – Dothan- Marianna
5 Times Weekly
Approx. 90 Miles Daily
450 Miles
10 MPG = 45 gal
20 MPG = 22.5gal
30 MPG = 15 gal
$170.55
$85.28
$56.85