Another Fuel Crisis

"Speed Kills!"

It’s time once again for “Another Fuel Crisis” caused by any old excuse. The ultimate goal is to rip-off more money from you and me. I can understand that the civil war in Libya is a major cause of a shortage of fuel, but as with everything else to do with the economic crisis, no-one knows nothing! At least this time the excuse has a little more substance to it.

Spain has mandated by law lowering the speed limit from 120 to 110 kph. Most people don’t adhere to the old law, so unless they really do need to save money, that will have no effect whatsoever.

In England and Holland they have mandated by law the increase in the speed limit, from 70 mph in England, to 80 mph; and in Holland from 120 kph to 130, in the interest of improving productivity. (Whatever that is supposed to mean.)

It is a fact that the faster we drive the more fuel our cars require. So, if we feel that fuel is becoming too expensive we will: (a) use the car less; (b) we will car-pool; (c) we will drive at a reduced speed; and (d) we will switch to motorcycles where possible. What we don’t need the government to do is impose those alternatives upon us by law. When we have a lower speed limit to contend with our chances of breaking the law increase, and so does the likelihood of suffering fines.

In considering that the government impose a very high tax upon each litre of gas sold, it seems to me that the government are shooting themselves in the foot. Perhaps they are trying to seem politically correct about worrying about the costs of using so much petrol, while at the same time planning to extract more money from our other pocket through fines.

I think that I fall within the category of drivers who have no problem staying within the 120 kph limit, but when it comes to slowing down to 20 kph, I don’t do so good. These are the limits where the police have so much success in handing out tickets. We are simply not disciplined enough to apply our brakes when entering a go-slow zone. German and Dutch drivers are admirable in that they do have the self-discipline.

As a general rule I always leave home in good time to allow me to drive at 100kph to arrive at my destination with time to spare, and without stress.

I drive a Volvo, so that should tell you a lot about my driving habits, and also, you should know that the optimum speed limit at which your speed –to- fuel usage is best is 90 kph. Between 90 and 100, the usage increases far more dramatically than ten simple kph would suggest.

One other thing to bear in mind: Speed Kills”

Copyright © 2011 Eugene Carmichael