Safe Speed Forums

_________________
The world runs on oil, period. No other substance can compete when it comes to energy density, flexibility, ease of handling, ease of transportation. If oil didn’t exist we would have to invent it.”

56 years after it was decided it was needed, the Bedford Bypass is nearing completion. The last single carriageway length of it.We have the most photogenic mayor though, always being photographed doing nothing

I don't see any mention of the possibility that as people upgrade to more fuel efficient new cars (and old ones are scrapped) the overall use of fuel decreases. The scrappage scheme was designed to achieve just this outcome as well as supporting the car manufacturers.

_________________
Malcolm W.
The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not represent the views of Safespeed.

And they may also be trying to drive more economically - there has been a noticeable fall in typical motorway speeds over the past 3 years.

The article says that petrol sales have fallen by 15%, but IIRC overall road traffic levels have fallen by no more than 1 or 2 percentage points.

_________________
"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Fuel economy may well have improved, but few drive to the same level as that used to achieve the figures given by manufacturers.
A Focus with the tdci engine may well have given figures of near 60 mpg, but that depends upon being driven as the testers did.
And I noted the commercial fuel sales....
With my cynical mind I keep coming back to the motorway speed limit increase....driven at 80 mph that same focus manages 30 mpg....

_________________
The world runs on oil, period. No other substance can compete when it comes to energy density, flexibility, ease of handling, ease of transportation. If oil didn’t exist we would have to invent it.”

56 years after it was decided it was needed, the Bedford Bypass is nearing completion. The last single carriageway length of it.We have the most photogenic mayor though, always being photographed doing nothing

Quote:

With my cynical mind I keep coming back to the motorway speed limit increase....driven at 80 mph that same focus manages 30 mpg....

It is a pity one cannot do FOI on cabinet meeting minuits....

_________________
"The road to a police state is paved with public safety legislation"

You can get some info from the 'Hansard' material just not sure if it covers the more private meetings ...

_________________
Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.

The information is relating to COMMERCIAL vehicles?

Does that mean Stobbarts etc. are driving more efficiently? They pass on a bonus to drivers who use less fuel IIUC.

In my neck of the woods, more and more companies are doing parcel deliveries, which while individual vehicles might be more efficient, the duplication is adding to consumption of fuel, AND congestion!
Ten years ago, UPS for instance would never be seen in this locale - now they have at least two vans to be able to meet the service deadlines they set themselves.
After rushing round with all the timed delivery packets, the vans sit up in lay byes until their collections are due.

I really don't know how they do it for the money - probably by paying drivers peanuts! The world has gone mad - if we were not in so much of a rush, we would be more fuel efficient... and more environmentally responsible!

_________________
Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

MMmm! Well, for my money I'm going to say that what do you think that the fuel esculator was for?............

Answer: To protect the level of tax take here in the UK, whilst minimising the import of expensive oil as OPEC and those nasty globalist capitalists took the oil and burned it elsewhere for a greater profit.

.....and we haven't finished yet! ..order your coolly hat and rickshaw here folks!

I may be being pessimistic here everyone but somehow, I don't think so........

It fell by 2% last year and approx 6% in the last 3yrs.
With many trying to save money than spend on new vehicles, I bet we see many 'scap for cash' schemes reducing in take up, as after all it is the consumer that pays for it ! It's not much more than a sales gimmic to buy a new car, although I can agree that a car with modern safety features might save a few more lives but how many ?

_________________
Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.

IMO The "Scrappage scheme" was neither about improving fleet fuel efficiency or "Helping" the motor industry (It actually been quite bad for it, as people may find in the future when they are no longer able to find local independents to service and repair their vehicles)

It was/is all about helping the banks!
(And possibly also about driving poor people off the roads)

The Banks need to lend money to recover,
They need to lend money to "Good risks"
The "Scrappage scheme" was primarily about pursuading people who were "Good risks" to take out, collectivly, some £2Bns worth of short term, relativly high interest loans.

Job Done!

_________________
"The road to a police state is paved with public safety legislation"

I wonder too if there has been a 'black market' built up around vehicles that are supposed to be scrapped but in fact get sold cheaply too ...
I agree about getting more to buy a car for the loan that it creates.

_________________
Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.