Why gas prices are not bearly high enough

[Cyclone42]

Impatience totally permeates our culture. Whatever it is, we want it NOW, RIGHT NOW!!! That is the whole reason why we ship so much by truck, when we used to ship most stuff by rail. Shipping by railroad is just too slow in our RIGHT NOW culture.

Maybe, if gas prices were something like $10 or $12 a gallon, people would SLOW THE FRACK DOWN. I make it a point to always drive 45 miles-per-our on the interstate, and I am always getting honked at. I don't care. If people honk at me, I just slow down even more.

Just today, I was on a side street about to make a turn on a green light, and I stopped so this lady with a baby stroller and a roughly 5-yo kid could cross the street. And, guess what, I got honked at! The guy behind me was so impatient in getting wherever it is he needed to be RIGHT NOW that I guess he wanted me to commit triple homicide so he could be there 20 seconds sooner.

We desperately need to MASSIVELY raise taxes on gasoline in in this country. The prices are NOWHERE NEAR high enough, IMO. Maybe sock a $7 per-gallon tax on the prices as they are right now, and people would then TAKE IT EASY and SLOW DOWN. Armageddon isn't going to happen if it takes you an extra few minutes to get wherever you are going. And maybe the same idea will permeate our lives, and we'll actually be happier people as a result.

Anyway, that is my rant.

[ISUKyro]

There is talk of this all over Houston as some are saying that same thing, wondering why people aren't slowing down.
My answer is simple. For many, the price of gas is still not a factor. So like you said it would have to go way higher for them to think about it.
As long as gas stays below $15/ gallon my budget and way of life will not be a problem for me so I will not change driving habits. And yes I am a very big RIGHT NOW kinda person.
It just depends on what you have, what you want, and what you can afford.

[kuney1]

Originally Posted by Cyclone42

Impatience totally permeates our culture. Whatever it is, we want it NOW, RIGHT NOW!!! That is the whole reason why we ship so much by truck, when we used to ship most stuff by rail. Shipping by railroad is just too slow in our RIGHT NOW culture.

Maybe, if gas prices were something like $10 or $12 a gallon, people would SLOW THE FRACK DOWN. I make it a point to always drive 45 miles-per-our on the interstate, and I am always getting honked at. I don't care. If people honk at me, I just slow down even more.

Just today, I was on a side street about to make a turn on a green light, and I stopped so this lady with a baby stroller and a roughly 5-yo kid could cross the street. And, guess what, I got honked at! The guy behind me was so impatient in getting wherever it is he needed to be RIGHT NOW that I guess he wanted me to commit triple homicide so he could be there 20 seconds sooner.

We desperately need to MASSIVELY raise taxes on gasoline in in this country. The prices are NOWHERE NEAR high enough, IMO. Maybe sock a $7 per-gallon tax on the prices as they are right now, and people would then TAKE IT EASY and SLOW DOWN. Armageddon isn't going to happen if it takes you an extra few minutes to get wherever you are going. And maybe the same idea will permeate our lives, and we'll actually be happier people as a result.

Anyway, that is my rant.

I was probably one of those guys honking at you when you drive 45 on the interstate. By driving that slow you are endangering lives.

[ISUKyro]

Originally Posted by kuney1

I was probably one of those guys honking at you when you drive 45 on the interstate. By driving that slow you are endangering lives.

That's what I miss about Iowa. You would honk at him up there, down here we would fire shots at him.

[cmoneyr]

You drive 45mph on the interstate? That is so rediculously dangerous.

Do you really wonder why you're getting honked at for driving 25 miles under the speed limit? Are you just that arrogant that you don't care about endangering others?

[Cydkar]

If he drives 45 at night it could be deadly. It's hard to see how slow somebody is going ahead of you until it's to late.

I'm in a hurry...to not die.

[clone2011]

I agree with the others--45 seems dangerous, and if you want it and can afford it, raising gas prices won't stop people. If someone's budget allows for $5 gas, good for them. Let them be.

Myself, I'm a poor college student trying to get buy so I've stopped driving my car as much as possible. I walk to work (15 minutes) when up until this week, I made the 5 minute drive. I walk to places in campus town, I walk to friends places, etc. I've only driven once this week and that was to run around town to pick up some stuff for my new place that wasn't feasible to take on the bus--minifridge, microwave, bulky stuff. I plan on trying to use the bus for buying groceries.

I personally can afford to spend a little more time getting somewhere and can't afford as much gas. Others can afford the price of gas but their lives are too hectic to waste any time. Worry about yourself and let others do as they want, as long as it's legal.

[SouthernHawk]

I drive 65 on the interstate. Partially because my '92 Honda is falling apart and high speeds might finish it off, and partially because over 65 MPH, my gas mileage plummets.

I'd be OK with more train travel. In fact, I think we're seeing a resurgence of railway transportation. Look at Europe - the rail almost went to non-existent, and now it's back in full force. Train-travel is slower, but IMO is worth it.

[tim_redd]

I think they should tax gas more, but they need to use that money to improve other forms of transportation. Right now the system is set up so that everyone uses their car to get where they need to go. People aren't going to shift away from this until public transportation gets better and is more reliable.

[cmoneyr]

Also, I was wondering, are the gas prices not Bearly high enough? Like not being "bear like" enough somehow? Or are they not Barely high enough? Because I'm all for making the bears pay their way.

[SouthernHawk]

Originally Posted by tim_redd

I think they should tax gas more, but they need to use that money to improve other forms of transportation. Right now the system is set up so that everyone uses their car to get where they need to go. People aren't going to shift away from this until public transportation gets better and is more reliable.

Tax gas more? Are you crazy man? No way. They don't do what they're supposed to with that money anyway, so why should we artificially increase prices even more?

[tim_redd]

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

Tax gas more? Are you crazy man? No way. They don't do what they're supposed to with that money anyway, so why should we artificially increase prices even more?

I know they don't. I was speaking "ideally".

[ISUKyro]

Originally Posted by tim_redd

I know they don't. I was speaking "ideally".

Ideally they wouldn't spend $2000 on a hammer and $3000 on a toilet seat

[dmclone]

If you're driving 45mph on the interstate you better be driving a scooter otherwise there is no excuse.

Depending on your car you may actually get better gas mileage at 55 than 45.

Have you always drove this slow even when fuel was cheap?

I know a guy that refuses to use cruise control and drives extremely slow. I rode with him one time and he was one of these drivers that is on/off the gas every 2 seconds. I nearly got sick and I probably get better gas mileage by driving 15mph faster and having a steady foot. He also thinks that using the A/C is a waste so he rolls his windows down no matter how hot it gets. Once again, I'm willing to bet that I get better gas mileage by having my A/C on.

[ajk4st8]

People think that their 'fast' driving will save them tons of minutes. Do the math people. Driving 70 for 20 miles vs 85 for 20 miles. Its only a few minutes difference.

Yes I love slowing down in front of people who are driving like badasses.