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MSNBC.com
Trooper Cites Man For Driving Too Slow In Attempt To Save Gas
WRC-TV
updated 7:19 p.m. ET, Tues., June. 24, 2008
WASHINGTON - Experts say motorists can save money on gas by slowing down, but, as one Maryland man found out, that may not always be a good idea.
Glenn Conrad said his Honda hybrid usually gets about 70 miles per gallon, but he feels great if he can get 80 miles per gallon or more.
Conrad admitted he is what's known as a "hyper-miler," someone who stretches his or her car's miles per gallon by altering his or her driving habits.
On June 12, Conrad was "hyper-miling" on Interstate 95 on his way to Baltimore/Washington International Airport. He said his car would roll down hills at up to 65 mph, and he would tap the gas until it reached 55 mph going uphill or 50 mph just puttering down the road.
Conrad said he was surprised when a Maryland State Police trooper pulled him over.
Related: Watch The Report
The trooper asked Conrad why he was driving 50 mph. Conrad said he was saving gas.
The trooper, however, was more concerned with motorist safety and issued Conrad a warning for driving 15 mph under the posted speed limit.
"Speed limits aren't just put there just because the state decides what they want," said Maryland State Police Sgt. Chris Davala. "It's because of fuel conservation and the safety of the other motorists and the motorists around you on the highways."
AAA officials agreed that driving too slow can be a hazard.
"The optimum speed for saving gas is probably 55 or a little above that right now, so the thought that you're saving more gas by driving 50 or 45 on high-speed roads isn't accurate, and it's very, very dangerous," said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman Lon Anderson.
Conrad said he won't go 50 mph on I-95 again -- he'll drive 51 mph.
According to Maryland driving laws, slow speed impeding traffic is prohibited. Troopers have discretion to pull over motorists if they feel they are creating unsafe driving conditions---by driving too slow.
im glad this happened. that guy was slowing down traffic all around him. i have seen that one person driving slow in the far right lane will cause traffic to slow down 4 lanes over to the left from all the people having to go around and causing other people to slow down.
If the law indeed specifies a minimum maintained speed on the highway then he deserves the ticket - that's cut and dry.
Otherwise he doesn't deserve to be called a dick and held to scorn for practicing his own way of driving, especially if he's doing his part to promote fuel conservation. It's a free country.
Quote from: toaster on June 25, 2008, 09:26:23 AM
im glad this happened. that guy was slowing down traffic all around him. i have seen that one person driving slow in the far right lane will cause traffic to slow down 4 lanes over to the left from all the people having to go around and causing other people to slow down.
+1
I used to own a first-gen Prius, and it was a lot of fun to try to maximize the mileage -- and the 5-secound updates on your current mileage on the LCD in the dash are kind of addictive. But I'd never even consider doing it in a way that made for that big a speed differential -- that's just nuts, endangering yourself & everyone around you. Especially motorcycles, by forcing all that fast moving traffic to shuffle lanes to get around you.
And now that I've sold the 1973 Land Cruiser FJ40 that I'd geared low for off-roading (top speed: 55 mph, MAYBE 60), I'm all for posting minimum speeds and ticketing folks who endanger others by dropping below. [cheeky]
Quote from: factorPlayer on June 25, 2008, 10:11:40 AM
If the law indeed specifies a minimum maintained speed on the highway then he deserves the ticket - that's cut and dry.
Otherwise he doesn't deserve to be called a dick and held to scorn for practicing his own way of driving, especially if he's doing his part to promote fuel conservation. It's a free country.
There doesn't need to be a specified minimum according to the article.
The last sentance - "According to Maryland driving laws, slow speed impeding traffic is prohibited. Troopers have discretion to pull over motorists if they feel they are creating unsafe driving conditions---by driving too slow."
If the asshole is THAT concerned with saving trees or getting 10 more mpg, then he should be taking public transport. If there isn't any, carpool with someone, buy a highway legal scooter, etc...
I got a ticket for driving to slow in NJ back in highschool days, but it was for different reasons ;)
Quote from: Pakhan on June 25, 2008, 10:28:59 AM
I got a ticket for driving to slow in NJ back in highschool days, but it was for different reasons ;)
[laugh] my brother is convinced that it makes him a better driver... and helps him study!
Quote from: Vindingo on June 25, 2008, 10:39:42 AM
[laugh] my brother is convinced that it makes him a better driver... and helps him study!
LOL, good luck with that
i seem to get behind one of those assmonkeys every day. barely accelerating, not maintaining speed, and not paying enough attn to the road in front of them and what is going on around them. and it seems that most often they are in the left lane.
the guy deserves the ticket just as much as i would deserve one for 15mph over the limit if caught.
Quote from: Vindingo on June 25, 2008, 10:39:42 AM
[laugh] my brother is convinced that it makes him a better driver... and helps him study!
i knew a guy in college that smoked allt he time. he was still wicked smart. when asked why he smoked so much his response was always a variation on "to make me as dumb as you people."
Quote from: factorPlayer on June 25, 2008, 10:11:40 AM
If the law indeed specifies a minimum maintained speed on the highway then he deserves the ticket - that's cut and dry.
Otherwise he doesn't deserve to be called a dick and held to scorn for practicing his own way of driving, especially if he's doing his part to promote fuel conservation. It's a free country.
Quote
"According to Maryland driving laws, slow speed impeding traffic is prohibited. Troopers have discretion to pull over motorists if they feel they are creating unsafe driving conditions---by driving too slow."
1. he is a dick.
2. he is held to scorn.
if he is so concerned about mileage while he is alone in his car, he should buy a scooter or take the bus.
Quote from: factorPlayer on June 25, 2008, 10:11:40 AM
Otherwise he doesn't deserve to be called a dick and held to scorn for practicing his own way of driving, especially if he's doing his part to promote fuel conservation. It's a free country.
I would argue that driving too slow is "reckless driving" since it endangers others on the road who are driving near posted speeds.
Quote from: ducatizzzz on June 25, 2008, 11:07:36 AM
if he is so concerned about mileage while he is alone in his car, he should buy a scooter or take the bus.
or stay home, mail the goods, and talk to them on the phone.
Plus the fact that all the cars that have to slow down, go around him, then speed up are using MORE gas. He may be helping himself but his
hurting the enviroment. Sending my report to Gore as we speak. [evil]
Quote from: factorPlayer on June 25, 2008, 10:11:40 AM
If the law indeed specifies a minimum maintained speed on the highway then he deserves the ticket - that's cut and dry.
Otherwise he doesn't deserve to be called a dick and held to scorn for practicing his own way of driving, especially if he's doing his part to promote fuel conservation. It's a free country.
Then in most states it is cut and dry, either statutes or case law clearly establishes that impeding traffic is a ticketted offense. Unless road conditions are bad (i.e. snow, ice, blinding rain) going substantially slower than posted speeds causes a road hazard. f an accident occurs because of that Idude's attempt to get 80mpg then I wouldn't be surprised at all if he gets charged with driving negligently.
HELL YEAH!!!!! [clap] I hope this trend continues! +1 to whoever said ride the bus if you're that concerned. Buy a bike, whatever. Share the manufacturing cost with a larger pool. Don't be a dick your extra $3.75 out of a tank of gas isn't worth the inconvience you place on those around you. If you can't be a courteous driver to the others you share the road with then get off it. [thumbsup]
If he keeps driving that way, he wont have long to worry about more cops pulling him over. He'll be dead. Jerk.
Once again, one of my fellow citizens feels they are ENTITLED to be on the road and thus drive any way they want. I'm sorry, but posted speed limits are just that - the state mandated maximum speed to travel on a certain road - it is certainly not a "challenge" as these hyper-milers like to think they are.
This dude sounds pretty damned smug to me! Wasn't there a cloud of "smug" that threatened South Park?
Just sayin'
I have a few thoughts on this.
I thought "hypermiling" was staying under 40 to use only electric?
He has no business driving 50 on the interstate, but I thought the minimum was 40 (maybe not in MD).
I think if he weren't on the interstate, then he's well within his right to drive a bit under the speed limit.
We could all benefit from everyone slowing down a bit, but not this slow.
I experienced something FAR worse than this on 95 in NC a month ago. A lady was in the left lane doing 35! Why she ever got into the left lane in the first place is beyond me.
Quote from: Duc Stamp on June 25, 2008, 01:19:58 PM
I have a few thoughts on this.
He has no business driving 50 on the interstate, but I thought the minimum was 40 (maybe not in MD).
I think if he weren't on the interstate, then he's well within his right to drive a bit under the speed limit.
We could all benefit from everyone slowing down a bit, but not this slow.
I experienced something FAR worse than this on 95 in NC a month ago. A lady was in the left lane doing 35! Why she ever got into the left lane in the first place is beyond me.
some states have a posted minimum. if there is no minimum posted, then you are expected to go with the flow of traffic, except where it is over the speed limit.
if you are going 35 in the left lane on I95, you should be run into a ditch.
Quote from: ducatizzzz on June 25, 2008, 01:21:40 PM
some states have a posted minimum. if there is no minimum posted, then you are expected to go with the flow of traffic, except where it is over the speed limit.
if you are going 35 in the left lane on I95, you should be run into a ditch.
NJ doesn't post a minimum but it does have one. I got my "too slow ticket" because I was on route 1/9 near Princeton. Mr gestapo cop followed parallel to me staring me down for 3 traffic lights, which is about 2 miles over there. I guess having light candy apple green hair past your shoulders is justification for harassment.
Well, the speed limit on that stretch changes from 45mph to 55 mph frequently, I think just to catch people. So I thought it was a 45mph zone and was going 40 out of cop fear, but it was a 55mph zone and he pulled me over gave me a ticket for going too slow. 15 miles under the limit in NJ is against the law, I fought and got a reduction from the judge cause I was from out of state.
yay jersey :P
Quote from: Duc Stamp on June 25, 2008, 01:19:58 PM
I think if he weren't on the interstate, then he's well within his right to drive a bit under the speed limit.
So you would be OK with it if he was driving 30 in a posted 45 on surface streets? Same thing as going 50 in 65 on the highway...
Quote from: ducatizzzz on June 25, 2008, 01:21:40 PM
some states have a posted minimum. if there is no minimum posted, then you are expected to go with the flow of traffic, except where it is over the speed limit.
if you are going 35 in the left lane on I95, you should WILL be run into a ditch.
make the beast with two backsing safety hazard.
Here in the SF Bay Area we get stoopid idiots that go the speed limit or slightly below it in the left lane! They do this because they know that they won't ever run into someone going slower than them in the fast lane therefore never needing to take their retarded heads outta their enormous asses to heaven forbid, tap the brake or change lanes. Lazy inconsiderate pricks that are responsible for creating the disaster waiting to happen of cars going 80 and 60 in the slow lane. [roll]
Quote from: NAKID on June 25, 2008, 01:44:11 PM
So you would be OK with it if he was driving 30 in a posted 45 on surface streets? Same thing as going 50 in 65 on the highway...
I wouldn't like it, but that is different than 50 in a 65. 30 in a 45 is 2/3 of the limit. As long as someone isn't going ridiculously slow and they aren't in the left lane, I could care less how they want to drive. 95 in the area this guy was is 4 or 5 lanes wide on each side, and it's common for most of the traffic to be going 50-55 just due to volume. In fact, I was going 70 this past weekend on that stretch and was passing people left and right like they were standing still. I had TWO people pass me during the 20 miles I was on there.
My main point is, there are much worse things drivers do than go slower than the speed limit.
What I experienced on 95 was far worse than this story as it was in the left lane and it was half the speed limit (35 in a 70)
it was a highway with a passing lane and if he was in the right lane going 50 and everyone else could blow by him going 70 or better then what's the problem?
I got a bunch of speeding tickets right now so I hypermile kinda unintentionally. I always go the psl and everyone is 10- 15 miles faster than me (not getting caught like I did). people get angry, tailgate pass improperly out of frustration-- like I'm gonna risk my license so this guy can get to work on time? make the beast with two backs that. Or quit being a pussy and pass me and risk your own license. shoulda left sooner. My 50 mile commute is now 2 minutes longer [roll].
now they do some stupid shit like drafting semis, shutting off the car going down hill (no stearing/brakes) then poping the clutch to get it going. but there's a lot of smart things I picked up at cleanmpg.com like timing lights, not using cruise, not using the brakes. I'm not pregnant doging about $4 gas because my tacoma is getting 25-28 mpg and the monster is around 52 (I used to get low 40's).
everyone is jumping to the conclusion this guy is like that bastard at the extreme. just like when a fatal bike accident happens people across the internet label the rider a moron and assume he's a squid because all bikers are squids. He was doing 50 where everyone else was expected to do 65. if motorists pay attention that shouldn't cause an accident. But they don't and someone going that much slower is illegal because our roadways are populated with inattentive, road rage'n drivers doing 5-10 over. why should he pay* and get labeled a dick?
*duno if a warning in MD has a fine or if it goes on his record-- here they just give verbal warnings and it costs nothing (so I've heard)
Quote from: Duc Stamp on June 25, 2008, 01:19:58 PM
I experienced something FAR worse than this on 95 in NC a month ago. A lady was in the left lane doing 35! Why she ever got into the left lane in the first place is beyond me.
Even better question is HOW she got into the left lane! A couple of times I drove that old '73 Land Cruiser up the same section of road where the hypermiler in the original post got nabbed. If it's where I'm thinking, the main opportunities for gas are LEFT HAND exits into what Maryland calls "Welcome Stations" or some damn thing. One of the most hair-raising things I ever did in any motor vehicle was to frogger that Cruiser at 60 mph (11 mpg. + 13 gallon gas tank = frequent gas stops) across three or four lanes of hard-charging traffic with the gas needle on the Empty peg. Good times...
Why do you consider people that drive 5-10 over bad but the this guy is ok at 5-15 under?
Same logic people should have been able to zoom past the lady in the left lane going 35 mph
good points.
he got a citation, which means a ticket. prob 1-2 pts and i bet he'll fight it and get it dismissed.
Quote from: nllm_oo_mlln on June 25, 2008, 02:45:22 PM
everyone is jumping to the conclusion this guy is like that bastard at the extreme. just like when a fatal bike accident happens people across the internet label the rider a moron and assume he's a squid because all bikers are squids. He was doing 50 where everyone else was expected to do 65. if motorists pay attention that shouldn't cause an accident. But they don't and someone going that much slower is illegal because our roadways are populated with inattentive, road rage'n drivers doing 5-10 over. why should he pay* and get labeled a dick?
*duno if a warning in MD has a fine or if it goes on his record-- here they just give verbal warnings and it costs nothing (so I've heard)
Slow make the beast with two backsers deserve to be shot.
Quote from: duccarlos on June 25, 2008, 02:55:28 PM
Slow make the beast with two backsers deserve to be shot.
But you would have to slow down to get along side of them to do so, there in lies the paradox. ;)
Quote from: Ducatiloo on June 25, 2008, 02:52:48 PM
Why do you consider people that drive 5-10 over bad but the this guy is ok at 5-15 under?
I don't, but they are illegal all the same. your damned if you do and damned don't. and all the money he saved is up in smoke so all the people in the system can keep their assinine job of checking for crossed t's and dotted i's.
Ok, I spoke to harshly. They deserve to be crashed into by a semi going the posted speed limit, 15 miles per hour faster than them on their make the beast with two backsing little ass cars.
If the person was pulled over for doing 15 over this wouldn't even be a topic on the Ducati Monster Forum, some day I hope the same applies to all people doing 15 under.
Quote from: duccarlos on June 25, 2008, 03:06:31 PM
Ok, I spoke to harshly. They deserve to be crashed into by a semi going the posted speed limit, 15 miles per hour faster than them on their make the beast with two backsing little ass cars.
In my vision we use snow plows to clear the path, or wrecking balls on towers along the highway that swing down if your going 10 under. [thumbsup]
Now that is the best idea eva!
Quote from: Ducatiloo on June 25, 2008, 03:10:38 PM
In my vision we use snow plows to clear the path, or wrecking balls on towers along the highway that swing down if your going 10 under. [thumbsup]
that's hilarious
my wife always ridicules me for saying we should chain prisoners with clubs at intersections and people who sit too long at a green light or run a red will get their cars smashed.
I've ridden with Ducatiloo a lot. I'm pretty sure he'd be willing to get incarcerated for the honor of clubbing a car sitting at a green light.
Quote from: Kyna on June 25, 2008, 03:31:26 PM
I've ridden with Ducatiloo a lot. I'm pretty sure he'd be willing to get incarcerated for the honor of clubbing a car sitting at a green light.
I just want to make eveyone around me a better driver...
Quote from: Ducatiloo on June 25, 2008, 03:10:38 PM
In my vision we use snow plows to clear the path, or wrecking balls on towers along the highway that swing down if your going 10 under. [thumbsup]
You know if those wrecking balls swung in the same direcion as the traffic at the psl, they would only hit the cars going to slow. I vote we call them traffic facilators. ;D
Quote from: WannaDucBad on June 25, 2008, 03:42:34 PM
You know if those wrecking balls swung in the same direcion as the traffic at the psl, they would only hit the cars going to slow. I vote we call them traffic facilators.
I second that motion.
Quote from: WannaDucBad on June 25, 2008, 03:42:34 PM
You know if those wrecking balls swung in the same direcion as the traffic at the psl, they would only hit the cars going to slow. I vote we call them traffic facilators. ;D
Now a trip to the in-laws could be called "Running the Gauntlet" [thumbsup]
Quote from: Ducatiloo on June 25, 2008, 03:39:43 PM
I just want to make eveyone around me a better driver...
Now that's love! What a man! [thumbsup]
Quote from: Kyna on June 25, 2008, 03:31:26 PM
I've ridden with Ducatiloo a lot. I'm pretty sure he'd be willing to get incarcerated for the honor of clubbing a car sitting at a green light.
Thats the beauty of lanesplitting... the only problem is darting out first and some asshole runs a red light or tries to turn before other cars go. >:(
maybe hook up machine guns to those redlight cameras?
Imagine how much fuel is wasted by angry motorists passing these douchebags.....ironic.
It's not just pissing off motorists that's the problem here, it's a legitimate safety issue.
Speeding isn't what causes accidents the delta of speed is what causes accidents. Someone going 15mph over the flow of traffic is just as bad as someone going 15mph BELOW the flow of traffic.
And the Key word here is flow of traffic. Many times the flow of traffic is 5-10 mph above the speed limit. So duche-y-McDuchebagerson here might be doing 15mph below the speed limit but is probably doing 20-25mph below the flow of traffic. THAT IS NOT SAFE [roll] especially if he is in the left lane [bang] [roll].
let me get this straight; everyone else is 5-10 mph over the speed limit and their disregard for the law makes his moderate speed unsafe and therefore illegal at the cop's discretion? so if the flow was a more reasonable (and legal 65 mph) would 50 be so unsafe? would it create such an unexpected bottleneck? i've delt with much worse. times are changing and I for one have sympathy for this tightwad
I also get frustrated by dumbasses who are holding up traffic and more importantly me. I just got a different perspective now. the ecconomy is weak, gas is high and we are all affected by it. government vehicles pass me-- delivery vehicles pass me even buicks pass me. I go the make the beast with two backsing speed "limit!" and they pass the cost of their impatience and job insecurities on to me through taxes, fines, fees, and raising prices on everything. I ussualy meet those that pass me at the junction or gas station mind you. WTF?! Why is everyone so pleased to see this dude put on notice?
it's not a legitemate safety issue since everyone else is breaking the law; they deserve the unsafe conditions that they created. the limit is concrete and the minimum is subjective. A minimum that is apparently based on a malleable "limit" once again: wtf?
limit:
* the greatest amount of something that is possible or allowed
Quote from: Kaveh on June 25, 2008, 05:40:32 PM
And the Key word here is flow of traffic. Many times the flow of traffic is 5-10 mph above the speed limit. So duche-y-McDuchebagerson here might be doing 15mph below the speed limit but is probably doing 20-25mph below the flow of traffic. THAT IS NOT SAFE [roll] especially if he is in the left lane [bang] [roll].
+1.
Ride the flow - even if they're speeding. It's safer. Better fuel mileage (for all on the road).
(Yes, we are all individuals). When you're in a congested area, it's better to stay evenly spaced with no quick lane changes.
Hubby likes to quote some expressway study where it was proven that the effect of someone braking can last for several hours. Something like people were still braking at 4 pm when the first guy braked at 8 am.
hypermiler sounds shortsited to try this on the expressway. Back roads in Wyoming where no one is on the road with him? Go For IT!!!! His practices are sound when they affect no one around him.
Quote from: nllm_oo_mlln on June 25, 2008, 08:12:15 PM
let me get this straight; everyone else is 5-10 mph over the speed limit and their disregard for the law makes his moderate speed unsafe and therefore illegal at the cop's discretion? so if the flow was a more reasonable (and legal 65 mph) would 50 be so unsafe? would it create such an unexpected bottleneck? i've delt with much worse. times are changing and I for one have sympathy for this tightwad
I also get frustrated by dumbasses who are holding up traffic and more importantly me. I just got a different perspective now. the ecconomy is weak, gas is high and we are all affected by it. government vehicles pass me-- delivery vehicles pass me even buicks pass me. I go the make the beast with two backsing speed "limit!" and they pass the cost of their impatience and job insecurities on to me through taxes, fines, fees, and raising prices on everything. I ussualy meet those that pass me at the junction or gas station mind you. WTF?! Why is everyone so pleased to see this dude put on notice?
it's not a legitemate safety issue since everyone else is breaking the law; they deserve the unsafe conditions that they created. the limit is concrete and the minimum is subjective. A minimum that is apparently based on a malleable "limit" once again: wtf?
limit:
* the greatest amount of something that is possible or allowed
It saves MAYBE an extra gallon a tank. That's MAYBE $3.50 a week. But they'll spend an extra 10-15 min on a commute either way. That's 20-30 mins a day That's 2-2 1/2 hrs a week. My times worth more than that so get the make the beast with two backs outta my way! nllm_oo_mlln Love the name by the way it's great to use if you see it. But I gotta disagree with you on this.
Quote from: WannaDucBad on June 25, 2008, 03:42:34 PM
You know if those wrecking balls swung in the same direcion as the traffic at the psl, they would only hit the cars going to slow. I vote we call them traffic facilators. ;D
While I really like the idea [thumbsup] kinda hard to implement.
How bout this as a alternative. One day a year for 12hrs nascar style trading paint is legal.
Go get an old crown vic, memorize the hypermiling dicks tag #, and on the appropriate day introduce the slow moving object to the concept of kinetic energy. [evil]
NICE!!! I figured with a name like "Traffic Facilator" even the hypermilers would vote for it. The type of people that tend to do things like Hypermile gobble up term like that.
I set my cruise control at the speed limit and only change when I'm passing slower moving vehicles.
Quote from: nllm_oo_mlln on June 25, 2008, 08:12:15 PM
it's not a legitemate safety issue since everyone else is breaking the law; they deserve the unsafe conditions that they created. the limit is concrete and the minimum is subjective. A minimum that is apparently based on a malleable "limit" once again: wtf?
limit:
* the greatest amount of something that is possible or allowed
Ok, there are two laws out there that really pertain to speed.
What you are quoting pertains to Maximum Speed Law. No vehicle may travel faster than the posted speed limit.
But there is also Basic Speed Law which states that no vehicle may travel faster than is reasonable or prudent for the conditions.
Here is the Minimum Speed Law:
No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.
That means he can not go slow enough to impeded traffic unless he is complying with the speed limit. If everyone is going 80 and the poasted limit is 65, he can't get cited for impeding traffic. BUT, if everyone is going 65-70 and he is sitting there going 50 and imeding traffic, you're damn right he should be cited...