A couple of years ago I wrote you a letter, wondering why to save fuel and lives, we dont slow down? Carol and I took a short trip to Missouri and Arkansas last spring.
Having already checked out the mileage on the camper, we knew that at 55 miles an hour we get 9.8 mpg and at 65 miles an hour we get 7.75 mpg. Needless to say we drove 55 miles an hour and saved $86 on gas. The 2,035 miles took about 215 gallons of gas. At 65 it would have been 258 gallons of gas. The price averaged out to $2.00 per gallon or $430, at 65, 258 gallons of gas for $516. A savings of about $86.
There were trucks and campers that passed us like we were setting on jacks, but at the end of the day we got just as far as they did. Going down and coming back! The campers were in the same campgrounds as we were. Why do we think we have to hurry? Slow down, enjoy the view! God forbid we should be late for an accident. Incidentally at three dollars for gas, the savings would be about $129 on the same trip.
How much fuel would we save in a day if the whole nation slowed down to 55mph? How many lives would we save? Because the accidents would be less violent. Maybe there would even be less accidents! It is inevitable, the sooner we slow down the better off we will all be. We either slow down or start walking when the gas runs out.
According to the news media, the USA represents four percent of the worlds population, yet we use over twenty percent of the worlds daily oil supply.
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There are a lot of diesel vehicles on the road belching thick black. Diesel smoking that way is wasting fuel and not running efficiently. There should be very little if any smoke from a clean burning engine.
We have to do more than slow down but it is a start. It is time for our leaders to lead for the people. Quit catering to special interest groups, like the big oil companies and other big corporations.
Marlow E. Hahn
Perham, MN
