Why reduce your driving speed?

Oh, that time wasted driving your car ... isn't it normal to try to reduce these time losses by driving faster? Despite what one may think, the gains are often minimal!  

Slowing, why?

In the city

Many drivers tend to exceed (easily) the speed limit on the boulevards. For example, traveling at 60 km/ h instead of 50 km/ h, we have the impression that we will arrive faster at our destination. Is this really true? 
 
Most of the time, no. On an increasing number of roads, traffic lights are synchronized at the maximum speed allowed. This means that if you drive at the right speed, you will rarely face a red light.
 
Try it once and drive slower! You're going to catch up with the heavy-footed drivers at each traffic light ... with the added bonus of a much more economical driving, because you will not have to accelerate and brake constantly (with gas prices, it's worth a try, no?).  

​On the highway
According to Statistiques Canada, the vast majority (89%) of Canadians travel 30 km or less between home and work. Assuming very optimistically that the whole journey is at highway speeds, the driver traveling at 120 km/ h will arrive at the destination ... 3 minutes earlier than the one traveling at 100 km/ h.       
 
Considering that he will have used 10 to 20% more gas, is it really worth it? Probably not.
 
Finally, by getting in the habit of slowing down a little and driving at the speed limit, not only is your driving safer and more economical, but one gains a lot of peace of mind ... no more heart palpitations when seeing a patrol car or a photo-radar!

Other blog articles that may interest you

5 tricks to lower your gas consumption
To wash your car in an environmentally friendly manner
How to show common courtesy on the road
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