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63 comments on Eco-Driving promoted by the European Commission
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63 comments on Eco-Driving promoted by the European Commission
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"if you tried driving 10 mph below the speed limit, you would be either ticketed, receive multiple obscene gestures, or be run over by a Freightliner"
Not sure where your "Around here" is, but we took a road trip around North America last fall, driving 60 mph the entire time. We did get passed by just about everyone, everywhere. However, the only time we felt antagonism was on the autoroute near Montréal - we've never seen such impatient drivers...
Besides the improved fuel mileage, being slightly slower allowed continuous use of the cruise control. It made for a very relaxing journey.
Now we're seeing more and more drivers taking it slow in our area, as low as 50 on the freeway, even some of the big rigs.
Rick in WA, USA
haha, Montreal drivers are a special breed. The Island of Montreal is the only place in Canada that I know of (I don't know much) where drivers aren't trusted to execute a 'right on red' without killing someone. Having said that, Montreal is one of my favourite cities, a truly cosmopolitan city bursting with culture and creativity.
In Ottawa I've noticed that 90-100km/h on the highway is becoming increasingly acceptable, but we are about the politest city around. I've often mused that in a disaster Ottawans are more likely to die of politeness than anything else... we're like a city full of those two excessively polite loony toons squirrels.
"haha, Montreal drivers are a special breed"
That is so true! We were actually LOL at the gestures and antics of the drivers - we honestly thought they were going to blow a gasket... Relax, people!
"Montreal is one of my favourite cities"
We like Montréal as well - I was born there, and still have family in the city.
We visited some cousins in Ottawa, too, and had a beautiful afternoon (28C on 22 Oct) in a park on the river. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Rick in WA, USA
Having spent a good part of my life in Montréal I can attest that most pedestrians appreciate the no-right-on-red rule. Drivers here are indeed quite aggressive at times. If you try to stick to the speed limit on an open road to save fuel, someone is bound to tail you closely, or attempt a reckless bypass manoeuvre. This may be accompanied by honking and improper gestures, all in good fun. This is why I always advise visitors to the city to avoid renting a car and stick to the public transit system here, which is truly exceptional (for North America).
In the European Union, LGVs* are limited by law to 56mph (90km/h) and buses are limited to 62mph (100km/h). Newer LGVs are fitted with a governor, a device which physically limits the speed. The upshot of this is that cars can safely drive at 56mph, and if you're feeling brave you can drive in the slipstream of a truck and save even more fuel.
*LGV = Large Goods Vehicle, a truck heavier than 3500 kg (7716 lbs)
I'm in Vancouver, WA, and it really is a madhouse on the roads. My daughters live in Ellensberg, where it is NOT a madhouse, and I love driving there. However, when they come here, they can't stand the traffic (the first comment is always, I can't get used to driving in town at over 25 mph). I wonder if the difference in "attitude" is driving on freeways vs. driving locally, in town...
Gas is now over $4 a gallon just about everywhere but Arco, and diesel is $4.95 is some places. I was out driving this morning, and they're still going hell-bent-for-leather...those Escalades...those F-350s...
I can assure you that what looks like a madhouse to you will look like incredible sanity to me. When I visited Cincinnatti and then Saginaw, MI I was amazed how seriously Americans took the STOP signs.
I lived in Singapore for 6 years and was amused that the Europeans and Australians complained that Singaporean drivers were aggressive. Coming from India, I was amazed that drivers did not honk, stopped for you at pedestrian crossings (even at 12:00 midnight), drove in lanes and were generally courteous.
Back here in India, I cannot believe at what passes off as traffic. People honk all the time, will not stop for a pedestrian (they would run over their grandmothers if it saved them 5 minutes!) and jump lights at will.
Srivathsa
Here in the UK savage fines for speeding mean that you rarely get hassle when you stick to the speed limits, although most usually go a few MPH faster.
Ten years ago that was not the case, and driving at the speed limit would have led to considerable aggression from other drivers.