French protests over fuel prices etc.

[vtsnowedin]

UK fuel prices are broadly similar to those in France.
Many UK drivers could save fuel by more sensible driving, for example by coasting towards red lights and stop signs, rather braking hard at the last moment.
More fuel could be saved by driving at more modest speeds, 80MPH is common on motorways, despite being illegal and wasting fuel.

I presume that circumstances are similar in France.

IIRC Saab used to have a drive line that "free wheeled" anytime you took your foot off the accelerator pedal but it was never popular. To place an automatic transmission car into neutral at each approach to stop to save gas would result in excessive wear to the mechanism, increase wear of the brakes, and prevent you from accelerating away from a danger that suddenly appeared from the sides or rear. Definitely not recommended.
As to driving 80 MPH time is money and drivers balance the extra fuel cost against the value of what they are doing at their destinations.
Real fuel savings are made at the point of vehicle purchase and that is effected by what the buyer expects the price of fuel will be over the time they expect to own the vehicle.
A few years back I had a crew of UK construction workers demonstrating a new process for bridges. Delays and such kept them in the US for the better part of a week so we chatted more then a bit. They were amazed at the proportion of SUVs and pickup trucks driving over the bridge and when asked said their own personnel family vehicle back in the UK was a tiny Fiat. These guys played Rugby in their spare time and the vision of them squeezing the four's shoulders into a Fiat to carpool to work was laughable but apparently routine for them.

[emordnilap]

My car can get up to 66/67 miles per gallon on motorways, averaging between 56 and 59 mpg overall. Anyone who wants a a private car can buy one with a similar efficiency.

On top of that, I like to walk, car share, get lifts and/or combine journeys. And if I lived in a town, I'd do without car ownership altogether.

My life's the better by taking a frugal attitude. The price of fuel is far less relevant to me. And anyone can attempt such savings but we live in a hugely selfish culture together with a lack of choice or forced choices.

Perhaps if fuel were dearer - €3 or €4 a litre would be a really good start - more care would be taken not to use it frivolously and wastefully.

[kenneal - lagger]

I drive at the speed I do on motorways to reduce the boredom of sitting for hours at 50 or 60mph. Not a good attitude I suppose but that's the way it is. If I'm going anywhere on my own I try to take the train so that I can read a book or enjoy the scenery and have a drink and some food in comfort.

[woodburner]

I drive at 60 on motorways, it’s much less stressful that driving faster and it doesn’t wear the car out as fast, uses less fuel. Driving fast increases fossil fuel consumption. Ok for a climate change denyer, but not so good for one who claims to be concerned about damage to the climate.

[Lord Beria3]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... -a-symptom

Superb article.

The few who "get it".

[clv101]

I think this is the best thing I've read on what's going on in France:
https://crimethinc.com/2018/11/27/the-y ... -movements

[vtsnowedin]

I drive at 60 on motorways, it’s much less stressful that driving faster and it doesn’t wear the car out as fast, uses less fuel. Driving fast increases fossil fuel consumption. Ok for a climate change denyer, but not so good for one who claims to be concerned about damage to the climate.

I go with the flow so that I am not repeatedly passing cars or semi trucks or being passed by them. Today with gas at $2.78 a gallon here that means driving between 72 and 78mph on the rural interstates of Vermont. Get down near Boston etc. and it slows right down to stop and go during the rush hours but can still be 70 or better at night.
With the average American wage earner making $22.89 an hour $2.50+/- gas isn't something people are worried about today. Let it get back up past $4.50 and people will begin to pay attention.

[emordnilap]

I drive at 60 on motorways, it’s much less stressful that driving faster

I know what you mean. 60mph gets you places in reasonable time but without the stress forced upon your mind and body by higher speeds.

Long journeys at moderate speeds aren't boring if you have a companion who can find interesting podcasts for you both.

[emordnilap]

I think this is the best thing I've read on what's going on in France:
https://crimethinc.com/2018/11/27/the-y ... -movements

It shows how dislocated from reality we've become when a modern government is described as being 'centrist'. Corbyn might just about be painted as a centrist, especially in while he's in opposition. Macron? Nah.

Nonetheless, the article offers some thoughtful advice, especially upon reaching the section "arguments in favour of participating in the movement".

as always, governments and capitalists are forcing us to bear the brunt of the problems they caused

[vtsnowedin]

I drive at 60 on motorways, it’s much less stressful that driving faster

I know what you mean. 60mph gets you places in reasonable time but without the stress forced upon your mind and body by higher speeds.

Long journeys at moderate speeds aren't boring if you have a companion who can find interesting podcasts for you both.

Again at 60MPH today you have cars and even full sized trucks overtaking you at 75+MPh and then blowing by you, some frustrated that they had to kick off the cruse control. Going with the flow I interact with a lot fewer drivers so have less chance of a mishap.
Two of you going 60 side by side would form a rolling roadblock and back up traffic for miles causing a major case of road rage.

[PS_RalphW]

Most trucks in the UK have speed limiters set at 60Mph or less.

[vtsnowedin]

Most trucks in the UK have speed limiters set at 60Mph or less.

Point taken . We do live under very different conditions one side of the pond to the other.

[emordnilap]

full sized trucks overtaking you at 75+MPh

There's a massive problem in itself.

Two of you going 60 side by side would form a rolling roadblock and back up traffic for miles causing a major case of road rage.

No, I adjust my speed according to traffic - most trucks in Ireland stick to 60 mph or less anyway. I will speed up or ease off the throttle to minimise inconvenience to others and certainly never be the cause of two lanes blocked.

My point was up to 60 mph is the best compromise between time and fuel consumption.

[woodburner]

Trucks in the Uk are monitored by tachographs. Trucks have a legal speed limit of 56mph, there are speed cameras all over the place and there are plenty of plain police cars to pull-up speeding vehicles. 75mph causes a hell of a lot of havoc if they crash, it’s bad enough at 56. The fuel in the UK at present costs the equivalent of £5.40/US gall ($6.16!!!) It was dearer a week ago.

[vtsnowedin]

My point was up to 60 mph is the best compromise between time and fuel consumption.

Again, I go with the flow. If that is what the traffic moves at in the UK including Ireland that is what I would drive there (if I could figure out which side of the road to drive on.).
Fortunately the likelihood of you passing me in the other lane is quite remote so my driving style is a moot point.