"Hypermiler" (i.e. dick) ticketed for driving too slow

[ducatiz]

 
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25356261

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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.

[toaster]

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.

[factorPlayer]

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.

[triangleforge]

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. 

[Vindingo]

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...

[Pakhan]

I got a ticket for driving to slow in NJ back in highschool days, but it was for different reasons 

[Vindingo]

I got a ticket for driving to slow in NJ back in highschool days, but it was for different reasons 

  my brother is convinced that it makes him a better driver... and helps him study! 

[Pakhan]

  my brother is convinced that it makes him a better driver... and helps him study! 

LOL, good luck with that

[KnightofNi]

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.

  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."

[ducatiz]

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.

"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.

[Pakhan]

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.

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.

[Ducatiloo]

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.

[Kyna]

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.

[Scottish]

HELL YEAH!!!!!  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. 

[FatguyRacer]

If he keeps driving that way, he wont have long to worry about more cops pulling him over. He'll be dead. Jerk.