Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Want to Save Gas? Yield the Left Lane!

Let's make every month "Lane Courtesy Month!"

Waunakee, WI � June 13, 2006 � As gas prices rose, there was no shortage of suggested fuel-saving tips. However, one gas-saving idea that is commonly forgotten is lane courtesy, or yielding to faster traffic. The National Motorists Association Foundation is promoting June as Lane Courtesy Month. The foundation urges motorists to �do the RIGHT thing� by moving over for faster vehicles.

�Media reports on saving fuel generally emphasize the basics,� said Eric Skrum, Communications Director for the NMA Foundation. �They urge motorists to check their tire pressure, replace their air filters, and use their cars� air conditioners less. These are helpful, but they ignore the role that traffic flow plays in gas consumption,� Skrum continued.

Vehicles consume the most fuel when they are accelerating, and they burn less fuel when they maintain a consistent speed. When motorists encounter a slower vehicle in the left lane, they have to brake and then accelerate once they are able to pass that vehicle. This wastes gas and money!

Drivers that do not practice lane courtesy also contribute to increased congestion on our roads. This means that one inconsiderate or inattentive driver in the left lane is often responsible for decreasing the gas mileage of dozens or even hundreds of other vehicles.

Of course, gas savings are not the only benefit of lane courtesy. By smoothing traffic flow, it also reduces tailgating, dangerous passes, and erratic speed fluctuations. Lane courtesy makes driving less stressful and can eliminate one of the major causes of �road rage� and aggressive driving.

Increased public awareness combined with modest changes in driving behavior will allow all motorists to enjoy the benefits of lane courtesy, including gas savings. For more information about lane courtesy and its many benefits, visit http://www.lanecourtesy.org.

The National Motorists Association Foundation was established in 1999 as a non-profit affiliate of the National Motorists Association, a long-established motorist advocacy group. The foundation is dedicated to protecting the interests of motorists through its multi-faceted approach of education, research, and litigation. To find out more about the foundation and its programs, visit http://www.nmafoundation.org.