Fuel Efficiency or Common Courtesy?

[KDOG]

This morning on my drive to work I had a good pulse & glide going. I was able to keep the MPG in the 75-100 range for several minutes. The speed limit is 45 the whole way and I was driving about 35-40 with nobody behind me.

However, when a minivan turned in behind me I sped up and killed my awesome mileage. I usually choose courtesy over efficiency, but I was wondering what others here usually do.

How do you choose between fuel efficiency and common courtesy?

[ZC1]

I see nothing unsafe with driving between 5-10 miles below the speed limit in the far right lane.
There are plenty of other lanes they can travel in if they don't like your speed (or they can pass)

Weird thing is, despite all other empty lanes and you travelling 10mph below limit, they still drive fast up to your very bumper before figuring out "Hey, this guy isn't going fast enough for me", then they jerk violently over and race past you exceeding the speed limit, only to brake hard at the Red light they almost missed (or hit the gas to get thru the RED).

For people like this, (and there seems to be more of them) they don't deserve any courtesy.

ZC1

[NorCal Rusty]

I have been cruising in the right lane at 62-67mph on a highway with the top speed of 70mph while some people drive 80mph plus. I hang with the big trucks except to pass. When I need to pass a truck I speed up as I am in the left lane and figure just pass and get the heck out of the way. I still get people driving to close, but not very many. My drives are not as stressful now that I just take my time.

[narf]

In urban areas I always choose courtesy over efficiency.
I believe that driving in traffic has some social responsibilities, and blocking traffic is just rude and unsafe. I don't want some nanny forcing me to drive their way, so I'm not going to impose my driving habits on others (within reason).

[Stev0]

This isn't a question for me. I prefer getting to my destination sometime today, so on those occasions when I'm on the highway I go the speed limit. OK, maybe just a tad faster.

[qbee42]

Courtesy always, up to the speed limit.

Tom

[fish_antlers]

Originally Posted by ZC1

I see nothing unsafe with driving between 5-10 miles below the speed limit in the far right lane.

You might not "see" anything unsafe about it, but the law DOES. What you're doing is both illegal and dangerous - traveling well below the posted speed limit, or the speed of the traffic is just as dangerous as speeding.

Don't worry - you'll get cited and then you'll be online complaining about it.

[RatedN]

I usually play the strategic lane change game to let impending tailgaters pass. If I can't, I pulse and glide within a 5MPH range (as in 40 down to 35 then up to 40). Whatever it is that I do, I try not to impede traffic flow whether or not I am in the slow lane. As annoying as aggressive or even slight speeders are when trying to improve fuel efficiency, the road really isn't a place to be actively protesting or taking a stand on how I or others drive. If some one is tailgating me, I either get out of the way or speed up within reason not for courtesy but safety.

[freshmtt]

Originally Posted by fish_antlers

You might not "see" anything unsafe about it, but the law DOES. What you're doing is both illegal and dangerous - traveling well below the posted speed limit, or the speed of the traffic is just as dangerous as speeding.

Don't worry - you'll get cited and then you'll be online complaining about it.

I don't see how you think this person driving 10mph below the speed limit is illegal, on the expressways they clearly have a minimum and a maximum speed limit, the maximum speed limit posted on side streets and highways is NOT telling people the MUST drive at this speed. It is the maximum that you are allowed to drive. The expressways in Illinois indicate that the minimum limit is 45mph and the max limit is posted at 55mph, 65 in some areas and even in the 65mph areas, 45mph is still the minimum, and that is a whole 20mph lower than the posted speed.

I don't think this would be any different in the city driving.

[bac]

Originally Posted by fish_antlers

You might not "see" anything unsafe about it, but the law DOES.

Really? I'm not buying it. Please provide some proof.

I know that it IS illegal in some states to ride slow in the LEFT lane. However, you NEVER see anyone getting pulled over for that - and they should.

... Brad