The Hazards of Hypermiling
With modern technology, drivers have taken their concern for saving money and the use of fuel to a markedly higher level. Known as hypermiling, some car owners have made a sport out of maximizing their fuel use, attaining the highest mile-per-gallon readings on their hybrids as possible. For the average person, some of the tamest tricks may be good ways to save an extra buck or two. However, for the most extreme adherents, this can be a dangerous challenge played out on public roads, threatening the health and safety of nearby motorists and pedestrians.
For many hypermilers, their level of commitment can determine what kinds of tactics they may be willing to try. As this competition of heightening fuel efficiency takes place among other, less informed drivers, certain behaviors may be extremely dangerous while being illegal in some areas. For others, hypermiling may be as oddly executed as driving with the radio off and without any shoes on. However, there are a few behaviors that should be avoided at all costs.
Drafting is an extremely dangerous driving behavior most commonly found on fast-moving highways. The act consists of a smaller car closely following a larger vehicle, usually a large truck, in order to drastically reduce wind resistance. While this tactic does achieve its primary goal, thus decreasing the amount of work the engine has to do just to keep going forward, it also puts drivers in unsafe distances from the vehicle in front of them and often in the blind spots of truckers.
In addition to drafting, over-inflating tires has become a staple of a hypermiling. While this may seem like an easy way to increase the fuel efficiency, it also increases the possibility of that driver going through a tire blowout. Tire blowouts can cause drivers to lose control over their vehicles, striking other motorists or nearby pedestrians.
If you have been injured by a hypermiling driver, there may be legal action available. Contact the Racine car accident attorneys of Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C., for more information.
For many hypermilers, their level of commitment can determine what kinds of tactics they may be willing to try. As this competition of heightening fuel efficiency takes place among other, less informed drivers, certain behaviors may be extremely dangerous while being illegal in some areas. For others, hypermiling may be as oddly executed as driving with the radio off and without any shoes on. However, there are a few behaviors that should be avoided at all costs.
Drafting is an extremely dangerous driving behavior most commonly found on fast-moving highways. The act consists of a smaller car closely following a larger vehicle, usually a large truck, in order to drastically reduce wind resistance. While this tactic does achieve its primary goal, thus decreasing the amount of work the engine has to do just to keep going forward, it also puts drivers in unsafe distances from the vehicle in front of them and often in the blind spots of truckers.
In addition to drafting, over-inflating tires has become a staple of a hypermiling. While this may seem like an easy way to increase the fuel efficiency, it also increases the possibility of that driver going through a tire blowout. Tire blowouts can cause drivers to lose control over their vehicles, striking other motorists or nearby pedestrians.
If you have been injured by a hypermiling driver, there may be legal action available. Contact the Racine car accident attorneys of Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C., for more information.
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