As OPEC increases it’s stranglehold on the world with it’s inflamation of gas prices which rival hemmorhoids, I have been driving a bit more conservatively. I have a 4 cylinder 200Hp pickup truck, I drive with the tailgate down when possible (say what you want but I have seen the gas mileage increase without that drag), low use of AC, and have slow starts and stops. This is a change from my usual lead foot and racing off green lights and quick stops. As I drive up and down an interstate every day for work I see many kinds of drivers. Usually I drive about 80 mph on the 70mph highway and am running with the crowd in the left lane. Now-a-days everyone is running at about 70-75 mph. I have started to wonder if there is a correlation between the increase in gas prices and the amounts of high speed tickets/accidents. I work with a former cop and he has assured me that although he does not know if tickets are affected he does know that national gas consumption does actually reduce when prices rise as people drive more conservatively and try to get more done in short trips. He has also mentioned that a temporary institution of a lower speed limit which would in turn reduce the amount of gas needed from the middle east and thus reduce prices. Just a thought.

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