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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, May 17, 2008 Speed kills, guzzles gas Slow down, save money: As millions of Americans take to the roadways for the busy Memorial Day Weekend and summer driving season, the Governors Highway Safety Association reminds drivers that slowing down will not only reduce the amount of money they have to spend on gas, but also could save their lives. According to the Department of Energy, aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) can lower gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and 5 percent around town. The agency also estimates that, as a rule of thumb, drivers can assume that each 5 mph they drive above 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas. Despite the benefits of slowing down, the public has not yet gotten the message. According to an informal survey by the association of state highway safety agencies, only Wisconsin reports a noticeable trend of reduced speeds as a result of high gas prices. In addition to helping fight the cost of record-high gas prices, slowing down also increases the likelihood of surviving a crash, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Herald news services

1. Principal of Christian school in Arlington charged with child rape 2. 5 moms battle Lakewood Elementary School fire 3. Couple fight back against armed home invader 4. Traffic detoured around motorcycle accident in Lake Stevens 5. Teen burglar's own snapshot may help police catch him 6. Mill Creek teens robbed at gunpoint 7. More glory for former Snohomish High basketball coach 8. Local Briefly: Search-and-rescue teams look for hiker 9. Boeing stock plummets on analyst's downgrade 10. Transit driver has dangerous attitude 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

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