Slower driving saves more gas. But Americans are in a rush. It is fascinating to slow down with the help of one of those hybrid cars that shows you when you are using electric power, and when the gas engine kicks in. It makes you take a different attitude toward driving, and you know what? You usually end up stopped at the same stop light.
But seriously, I think it’s about competition. We’re a very competitive people, and we hate to see so many people going by us. The urge to speed up and be faster is almost undeniable.
However, if you do deny it, you can gain a curious victory in that other race. The not-s-obvious race. The race to go the furthest, using the least fuel.