Driving when you are angry or upset can be dangerous and it can also have bad effects on your fuel consumption.

As covered this this post on a Hypermiling Blog I came across, driving when you are angry can cause you to waste gas.

Speeding, slamming on the brakes, and excessive start-and-stop driving, all lower your gas mileage.  It is also unsafe.

When people are angry or upset they are less aware of what is going on around them and even of what they themselves are doing.  This can mean that you will not have your own driving habits completely under control.

Obviously, driving while in a calm frame of mind is much safer because you are simply more in present time and more aware of what is going on around you.

It also puts you more in control of the your driving habits that affect your MPG.

This is actually one aspect of hypermiling.

If you are angry or upset, it’s probably a good idea to chill out a bit before you get in the car and drive. Easier said than done.

Try taking a short walk if possible, look at things at a distance from you as well as things nearby.  If you are hungry, eat something with some nutrition in it.  If you are thirsty, drink some water.  Or, if it’s time for your morning coffee, go ahead.

Don’t drive while you are under the influence of drugs – even painkillers, if you can avoid it at all.  These numb your awareness.

Drive when you are feeling calm, relaxed, and well in present time.  It will help you get better gas mileage and it’s also safer.

 

Tags:

Hypermiling, Driving, Gas, Mileage, Gas Mileage, Better Gas Mileage, Angry, Upset