Why don't people use their cruise control more often?

Question

The most efficient use of the freeways as to NOT cause traffic congestion is for people to use their cruise control.

Think of it. When there are a lot of cars on the road you can only go as fast as the slowest person in front of you. People usually slow down because of hills and they are way late to press harder on the gas to maintain their speed which slows them down. This effect ripples all over the place cumulatively slowing everyone down.

At this point, the average speed of the system can only increase as cars leave the freeway.

If people would use their cruise control, there would be no loss of speed and we could ALL barrel up the hill together… wouldn’t that be nice!

(Yes I know there are other sources of congestion but this is a major one you can see at the bottom of any hill)

Answer 1

they're too busy talking on the phone. But I agree, it would help a lot. In fact, they should invent some sort of cruise control that communicates with the CC of people in front and behind, so they adapt the same speed...

Brilliant, no?

Answer 2

IF, IF, IF.

If everyone would slow down......

if everyone would be thoughtful and considerate

if everyone would do this or that.

But everyone DOESN'T, so learn how to cope with it.

Answer 3

I for one doNot use cruise control when I drive my Dodge because it doesn't have it. When I drive my van I use it when I can but it sure gets frustrating when you approach a car at a speed of 68 and speed up to 75 to pass and they speed up, I guess they just want to bee in front cause when you get back behind them they slow backdown. and speed up when you try to pass.

Answer 4

when many people are driving there's this stupid mentality called "me first!" Especially in the USA where many drivers think that they have to be first in line in all situations.

If you are in cruise control then you won't be "first" because you will be going the same as all others.

Many people drive like douchebags because they are self-centered and self important. Crusie control leaves you vulnerable for takeover therefore it won't get used.

BTW, it won't matter soon when eventually the government will regulate where we can drive, when we can drive. They are already trying to impliment a system that can control our driving habits. This is from overwhelming support of auto insurance companies having to shell out billions to reimburse stupid, lazy, ignorant, self centered, self righteous, self important drivers who drive by their own road rules.

Turn Signals? We don't need no stinkin' turn signals! What's a stop sign? I have no time to sit and wait for the light to change..see ya! Yes, I need three lanes to swerve across when I make a turn!

Way to go, people.

Answer 5

Because I don't have it for my car.

Quit being a douche and stay on the left lane.

Answer 6

while I do like to use it, usually it's to congested to use it safely. it's true the freeways can flow more cars if the average speed is increased.   it's the slower cars the cause the congestion, they may even be doing the legal speed limit.  the police allow you do go over by about 10 mph for this reason...

  some cars cc still lose speed up hills, mine is a older model and will lose 5-10 mph and the gas pedal is on the floor.

  also I find I can get better mpg without it.   it accelerates up the small grades to maintain the speed, while if you acually speed up going down and let it slow up a little going up, you can increase you mileage...

Answer 7

No, it won't happen that way.  Not everyone will set their cruise control at exactly the same speed.  And tailgating is illegal and dangerous regardless of whether you are on cruise control or not.