Today’s tip will hopefully help you save a little bit of gas and a whole lot of aggravation as you’re driving down a busy interstate.
Pick your lane and stay in it.
How many of you have seen the movie Office Space? You know the opening scene, where Peter is driving to work and he keeps switching lanes, only to find that the lane he just left speeds up while the lane he moved to has come to a stand still?
Well, according to Edmunds.com, the above scenario may not be that far from the truth. Edmonds.com states that “studies have shown that changing lanes does not significantly reduce travel time.”
So, instead of weaving back and forth, in and out of traffic, once you get on the highway, go ahead and pick a lane (preferably not the left, or fast lane) and maintain a nice, constant speed, hopefully somewhere right around the speed limit.
This should help you save a little bit of gas and a whole lot of aggravation, since you won’t be worrying about picking the “right” lane.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
You spelled Edmonds.com incorrectly. Should read Edmunds.com.
Thanks. I’ve fixed it.
This is absolutely not good advice. Picking a lane and staying in it is not most efficient, at least not for the total system of cars. As long as people are traveling at different speeds, picking a lane and staying in it will force other drivers to frequently slow down and then speed up. It will also produce the frequent lane-changing behavior described, not reduce it.
The safest and most efficient way to drive is to always drive in the rightmost lane that is clear for the speed you are going. This will allow everyone to travel at their desired speed, with no braking and accelerating. Changing lanes does not significantly harm fuel economy. Repetitive braking and accelerating does.
My take on lane use is here:
http://www.truedelta.com/blog/?p=147