Speed has a price tag

There’s a correlation between speed and efficiency and it’s very direct – as speed goes up, efficiency goes down!

To prove this point, an actual test was done.  Two drivers left Minneapolis for the exact same destination on the East Coast.  Both had identical tractors, trailers and loads.  Driver A was instructed to drive over the speed limits and “drive hard” – Driver B was instructed to obey the speed limits and practice good driving techniques.

In the course of the trip, Driver A passed 2,000 vehicles, applied his brakes 1,399 times and drove an average of 49.7 mph.  He reached his destination in 20 hours and 12 minutes.

Driver B passed 13 vehicles, applied his brakes 652 times and drove an average of 48.9 mph.  He reached the same destination in 20 hours and 43 minutes.

Driver A reached the destination only 31 minutes faster than Driver B – not a big difference especially when you consider:
• He passed 1,987 more vehicles than Driver B, exposing himself and other motorists to danger each time
• He applied his brakes 747 times more often than Driver B, increasing maintenance costs by increased wear on the brakes, brake drums and tires
• He used approximately 10 gallons more fuel than Driver B on this 1,000-mile trip

The American Trucking Association Maintenance Council reports that increased speeds increase overall operational costs.  They’ve done studies which show that running at maximum speed limits can increase maintenance costs 10% to 15% and decrease vehicle component durability 10% to 15%.

Bottomline:  Trucks running at higher speeds use more fuel, significantly increase the wear on vehicle components and, most importantly, put the driver, the equipment and other motorists at an increased risk for accidents!