If you are looking for a way to save money on gas, you might not want to read this.
Our government, the same government that pays good money to put up speed limit signs and put police on the road to keep people driving safely, says that — surprise — driving over 60 mph wastes money.
Fueleconomy.gov, part of the Department of Energy, says “gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.” It goes on to say “each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional 30 cents per gallon of gas.”
That’s based on $4.08-a-gallon gas. There’s a graph at the Web site showing maximum mile-per-gallon efficiency between 30 mph and 60 mph.
For the drivers slogging north from their mortgage-paying jobs in King County, your gas mileage isn’t so good. “Idling gets 0 miles per gallon.”
Dumping excess weight can spell up to 2 percent improvement in gas mileage for every 100 pounds, especially for small cars.
With gas prices this high, it makes the gym membership pay for itself.
Using cruise control and overdrive also increases gas mileage, according to the site.
The most effective tactic: “Drive sensibly.” The site says aggressive driving — speeding, rapid acceleration and braking — wastes gas, up to 33 percent at freeway speeds.
Getting home before dinner is cold, though, will save me attorney fees for the divorce. It’s kind of a wash.
Highway 9 signal needed
Question: Will a traffic light be installed at 164th Street SE and Highway 9? I have seen so many potential accidents from people trying to cross or turn onto Highway 9 from both sides of 164th SE.
John Mason, Clearview
Answer: As part of the Highway 9 safety and congestion improvement project from 176th Street SE to Marsh Road, the state will install a new traffic light at the intersection of Highway 9 and 164th Street SE.
In April, crews began work to widen Highway 9 to four lanes from Highway 96 to Marsh Road, add turn lanes at the busiest intersections, install a new traffic signal at 164th Street, add seven new traffic cameras, interconnect traffic signals and improve lighting.
Crews are expected to complete this work in spring 2010. For more information, visit the Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR9/176thtoMarsh.
Meghan Soptich, WSDOT communicator
U.S. 2 signal too short
Question: When turning left onto U.S. 2 from southbound Kelsey Street in Monroe, is it possible to increase the timing of the green arrow? Only a few cars can get through in the eight seconds before it becomes a solid green light and turning cars must yield to oncoming traffic. That’s barely enough time to get going.
Scott Eiler, Marysville
Answer: Although the green left-turn signal at Kelsey and U.S. 2 is shorter than other signals at the intersection, it’s appropriate for the amount of traffic. The number of vehicles traveling along U.S. 2 is nine times greater than the number of vehicles making a southbound left turn from Kelsey Street.
In order to increase the left-turn signal length at this intersection, we would need to reduce the signal time for northbound traffic on Kelsey. This is not possible because pedestrians need a full 35 seconds to safely cross U.S. 2 at this intersection.
Greg Wagner, WSDOT project engineer
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