Be a better person, arrive late for work…or leave a minute earlier!

The other night I listened with great interest to the Top Gear team debating fuel efficient driving.

The other night I listened with great interest to the Top Gear team debating fuel efficient driving.

The conclusion was simple, sudden braking makes for inefficient driving, so brake less = increased fuel efficiency. For me that was logical and something I can relate to my everyday journey from Hayling Island to Langstone Technology Park, a journey of a just five miles made by around 1,700 cars during peak hour alone.

Hayling residents (not all of them!) complain that anything turning in to their path will add 30 seconds to their journey time and logically therefore make them late for work. Langstone Technology Park employees seem to be the major villain, as they have to turn across the main Hayling road to enter the site.

So, picking up on the Top Gear tip then, by slowing down and being more considerate (advanced) when driving, a number of positive things should happen:

1. increased road safety by reducing speed gradually (without sharp braking)
2. cars in adjoining roads could join the main road and traffic flow easily and safely (less than 1 in 20 cars currently stop to allow them in - fact)
3. a good deed done early sets you up nicely for the rest of the day
4. by looking ahead at the roundabout traffic lights, cars could slow rather than speed up to try and beat them and allow cars to cross to the Langstone Technology Park – without having to risk an accident
5. a more efficient drive to work will save the driver money (decreased fuel usage) and help save the planet at the same time.

So the old adage of ‘less haste more speed’ really could mean more efficiency and a better driving experience!