Letter to the editor:

Drive slower

Sir,

A short while ago the San Francisco Chronicle did an article describing the experience of driving 55 on a Bay Area freeway. The driver was honked at and received obscene gestures from fellow commuters. The article also charted how driving slower dramatically improved gas mileage.

For the last 4 weeks I have reduced my speed when driving on the same freeways without any repercussions. Why?

• 1. I kept my speed to 60 mph.
• 2. I did not block the fast lane(s).
• 3. I respected the rights of others who wanted to drive faster and moved out of their way if I could do so safely.

Results:

• I increased my gas mileage by more than 20%. (I used to drive 75 to 80 mph as a rule).
• I was (and still am) more relaxed by the time I arrived at my destination.
• I feel good having done my part (and still doing so) to keep us from having to import more oil.
• I feel even better knowing that I am screwing the oil cartel.
• Best of all I now am giving less of my hard earned money to Bush's oil cronies.

May I suggest that the Sierra Club get involved in a national campaign to educate the U.S. population on the merits of slowing down and in the process of being good citizens (saving the environment, reducing emissions, saving countless lives etc., etc) also give the economy an enormous boost.

If initially only 5% of the population buys into your campaign, the results will be astounding. You will also have the attention of the people in power and who knows what great things may result?

[signed] Conrad Chompff