I'm just wondering how high fuel prices have to go before driver behavior changes?

We're all bitchin' about petrol and diesel prices, but having driven in and out of London a lot recently, and to and from the lakes this week, it looks to me as if the average driver either hasn't spotted the cost of fuel has changed or they don't care; I'm trying to average 60+ mpg on longer trips in the Octybus and save the foot-down fun for "special occasions".

So how high do prices have to go before the folks doing 80+ on the motorway stand out like sore thumbs?

I'm just wondering how high fuel prices have to go before driver behavior changes?

We're all bitchin' about petrol and diesel prices, but having driven in and out of London a lot recently, and to and from the lakes this week, it looks to me as if the average driver either hasn't spotted the cost of fuel has changed or they don't care; I'm trying to average 60+ mpg on longer trips in the Octybus and save the foot-down fun for "special occasions".

So how high do prices have to go before the folks doing 80+ on the motorway stand out like sore thumbs?

I'm now driving like a vicar - have averaged 40mpg over last 1K miles compared to my long term average 35mpg.

I would make the suggestion that most who drive like you describe do not pay for their fuel :(

I was amazed, taking a trip down the A30 dualie this afternoon, how many people were doing between 60 and 65. I was definitely going slower - 70mph to try and save fuel, and I was still overtaking people. You can sense the fuel costs are hitting.

I did however, when a van came next to me on an uphill bit (decelerating) drop it down to 4th and shot up the hill up to 120 (km/h ) just for the fun of it. Sometimes saving fuel just doesn't induce enough :D factor.

Would it be fair to say that those who are still blasting around at 80+ on the motorways could be reps or those using company cars where their company is paying the bill? I'm defo trying to be more carefull, and trying to cut down on any really uneccesary journeys.

Would it be fair to say that those who are still blasting around at 80+ on the motorways could be reps or those using company cars where their company is paying the bill?

I think so. I have backed off a bit recently too, although one may question the logic of my switching from an Octy diesel to a 2.0 petrol though . . . not when the petrol managed 45mpg on a run and the fuel being 15p a litre cheaper.

I've certainly noticed that average speeds on the motorway have dropped , myself included.

Handily though , because the traffic is flowing more freely it doesn't seem to affect journey times much.

I've certainly noticed that average speeds on the motorway have dropped , myself included.

Handily though , because the traffic is flowing more freely it doesn't seem to affect journey times much.

I have noticed this too and I have been all over the place.

I am coping fine for the time being, TBH the price would have to be double what it is now before I would start feeling the pinch.

It's certainly enough of an increase that I notice it and am prepared to change my driving - close to £1000 a year extra for me.

If it doubled then it really would be uneconomical for me to carry on in this job

Thanks to the French there's hope for the future:

Venturi Supercars Astrolab Concept ~ HOT SUPERCARS

Yes, it's rather ugly. If you are willing to pay for the electricity, the Venturi company has another electric beauty capable pof making 0-60 in 5 secs. and with a 100 mph top speed:

i went through my fuel receipts for May, i have spent nearly 500 quid on fuel. ok a lot of it was in the half term, but last year was about 200-300 quid for the same sort of month.

I've been doing 65mph to work for the last8 months or so when I worked out I could basically do an extra 5mpg over the same journey and get to work 5-10 minutes later than doing 75mph.

I quite enjoy pootling along at 65mph to work as I find i'm less worked up when I get to work and my bank account has definitely noticed the difference!

I can constantly achieve between 630-650miles from my 110 toledo and 680 has been my personal best!

When I started my fuel spreadsheet last July it was 94.9p a litre and cost me roughly 8.6p a mile in fuel between July and December. This year has gone from 106.9 ppl to 117.9 ppl (last updated in mid april and receipts are in car to update) and that has risen to 9.91ppm in 4 months :(

PistonHeads Headlines

Gahhhhhh this fricking government!

I'm shifting a bit earlier, but that's about all.

I've always driven like a grandad for the past year or so (probably due to the baby being in the car more)

But i now enjoy pootling about, i do still have the odd blast here and there.

But very rarely.

Still trying to work out whats best for economy in the Fabia though, 6th Gear at 65-70, or 5th at 55-60.

No it isn't. There are still too many poor people cluttering up the roads. :grumpy:

I'm backing off a bit now, too...

I make several 200 mile trips a month and I stick to 65-70mph now and I'm noting a 7-8MPG improvement... every little helps™!

... every little helps™!

Definately.

I simply cant bear to think how little money i would have if i was running an Impreza etc... at the moment.

Certainly not as a daily runner anyhow.

PistonHeads Headlines

Gahhhhhh this fricking government!

What have they done wrong , and what do you think would be different if anyone else would be in charge?

They haven't put prices up , and while they do collect more money in VAT when prices rise that's the same for any item.

I'd bet very good money on the 2p duty rise being scrapped.

I'd bet very good money on the 2p duty rise being scrapped.

Seems like a drop in the ocean really,2pence:(.

Not really changed my driving habits apart from cursing a bit more when I am filling up.

Seems like a drop in the ocean really,2pence:(.

Not really changed my driving habits apart from cursing a bit more when I am filling up.

Indeed.

2p either way isn't much difference at all when there has been a 30p rise in 6 months.

I think at some point company car/van drivers will be targeted by their employers.

There is no way that they can be as profitable if its all been wasted on fuel as the drivers blast around not caring.

They may have to offer some incentive scheme for better mpg in company vehicles thus saving the company money over the long term.

Steve

Indeed.

2p either way isn't much difference at all when there has been a 30p rise in 6 months.

To be honest, if the government slapped on the extra 2p now overnight without an announcement, no one would notice. The garage I refuel at (cheapest in the area) has a max allowance when paying at the pump. Between the 13 May and 28 May, max amount of £59.42 has seen me get 2.37 less litres on the most recent refill this translates to a cost per litre of diesel rising from 119.9p to 125.9p in two weeks!

I filled up the kangoo work van this morning(i pay for the fuel)

and decided today that instead of 80/85mph i was going to do my daily 70 mile round trip at a top speed of 70mph

So i suppose the price rises have got to me.

Im still going to thrash my fabia about when im in that though

Im paying £50 a week at the moment, I'm about to move jobs though so that will do down to about £10 a week (can't wait).