The Prius Effect

From The Car Lounge:
"I'm starting to think the Prius really is a good thing for the environment after observing some on-road behavior this weekend.

While traveling most the length of the GSP here in NJ on Saturday, the traffic speed began decreasing even as I noticed a mint Grand National in the fast lane, a very nicely done-up black and gold WRX behind him, and a blue S4 in front of me, all coasting along at 65mph. With the GN being collectible, it might the exception here, but these cars are typically associated with the faster drivers on the road. Especially as they identify one another during a trip and often begin to speed together. The GSP is definitely an 80mph ride in this section on most days.

Strangely, none of these cars mentioned, nor myself for that matter, seemed at all bothered by the slowdown. Even though I was paired with at least one of these other cars doing 80mph up until this point, none of the drivers around me were making aggressive passing moves, nor did they even seem irritated. It was a moment of calm in the commute.

The cause: Three Prius' unevenly staggered across each lane. Each must've had cruise control set to 65 mph. They didn't appear to be together, and as I said, no one was really trying to pass them. This went on for quite a while before the effect was over.

I think there was a driving phenomenon occurring at that moment. I know I thought to myself, "Maybe these Prius drivers have something with keeping it slow."

I know my 1.8t will simply rape my wallet of $20s on a trip where I travel 80mph+. But if I keep it below 3000 RPMs (70-75mph) it's a MPG gem.

Any thoughts?"

See responses on VW Vortex's The Car Lounge

I don't know what the writer is trying to say except he thinks the 3 prius drivers are tools.

Perhaps it is the $3/gal gas effect finally hitting home.

Bob Wilson

Hi All,

The news this morning had a bit about crude prices. Which concluded "And if Crude exceeds $100 a barrel, drivers should expect $5 a gallon gasoline a few months later".

Even though there are still lots of drivers driving well beyond 10MPH over the limit here in Colorado (and we have 75 mph speed limits on the interstates), I've seen an increasing number of drivers slowing down. The ones I notice the most are the Hummer/Silverado/landwhale class cars. They used to be the most aggressive car class here locally, now many of them are cruising along at the speed limit. I suspect the drivers are finally realizing that their driving habits were putting extra hundreds of dollars into the oil barons' pockets. These days I find myself passing them more than they pass me.

Is gas really going up or is our dollar just going down?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(burritos @ Oct 20 2007, 01:32 PM) [snapback]528235[/snapback]</div>

both. However, I don't know how that affects our oil prices. the petro dollar is what oil is traded in and it's tied to the US dollar, for now.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Oct 20 2007, 04:06 AM) [snapback]528115[/snapback]</div>

Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Oct 20 2007, 04:06 AM) [snapback]528115[/snapback]</div>

If there blocking the highway then they are tools! More likely they were trying to show off to each other! LOL

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BuddyL @ Oct 22 2007, 05:11 AM) [snapback]528511[/snapback]</div>

So if they are blocking the highway as a result of showing off to each other they are not tools? :blink:
Don't get me wrong, I am in no way calling all Prius drivers tools but I wonder if the OP in the other forum is? :huh:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Oct 20 2007, 01:06 AM) [snapback]528115[/snapback]</div>

On the contrary, I think the writer is saying having Prius drivers on the road is maybe a good thing. Not having drivers in such a rush to get to where they're going saves gas and calms nerves.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(100 mph @ Oct 21 2007, 05:04 PM) [snapback]528582[/snapback]</div>

When I'm coasting and gliding to a stop or driving a little under the speed limit, I find a lot of cars around me do the same. I think there is a calming effect of having prii and semi-hypermilers on the road. And I seem to be teaching people that if they coast to the red light it will often change to green in time so that we can still be rolling at 15 mph when they reach the intersection instead of getting there fast, stopping and having to accelerate from zero. I think it helps that my license plate says CUT CO2 and a number of people behind me see it and say "oh yeah" to themselves and their lead foot disappears. Sadly, there are still those idiots that pass me in the left lane, accelerating to a red light in their 15 mpg SUVs.