One Simple Cure to Reduce the Cost of Gas for Semi Trucks and Everyone Else
High gas prices are a common topic of discussion these days and for good reason. Whether the significant inflation of gas prices recently is due to supply and demand, speculators in the futures markets, difficulty in accessing oil reserves in less than friendly countries or many of the other factors that affect this global commodity, one thing that is clear that everyone, whether they drive a tractor trailer or small car, can reduce their gas bill by driving more slowly.
The Department of Energy has released statistics that show that avoiding certain types of improper driving can increase a vehicle's gas mileage rather significantly. For instance, excessive speeding and quick braking and accelerating have been shown to reduce gas mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% in urban areas. Additionally, for every 5 miles per hour over 60 miles per hour a person drives, it is costing that person an extra $0.20 per gallon.
Of course, one additional benefit of driving more slowly and less aggressively is that it is much safer, thereby reducing the number of crashes and decreasing the chances of being seriously injured in a crash. A study found in the Transportation Research Record showed a direct correlation between reducing speed and fewer accidents and less severe accidents starting at just a 1% reduction in driving speed. So, there are a couple of very good reasons to drive more responsibly and slowly, especially these days when gas prices are so high and the number of serious injury accidents are very high.
