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.