Wow - UPS saves about $3 million on gas by simply not turnin

[Getintothegame]

Check this out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/ma...-handturn.html

Found this on Digg, and I'm very impressed. I'm thinking of trying this and seeing how much gasoline I'd save.

[Blitzkommando]

I try not to make left turns anyway to avoid idiots.

[Ketchup345]

Think I've heard about this before.

Seems interesting, but not always usable by everyone. I do try to do this when on heavily traveled roads with many shopping centers though.

[Broodstar1337]

There are some left turns you just can't escape. If I ever see somebody make a 270 degree right turn just to go left at an intersection, I'd probably shit myself...

[HUnewearl_Meira]

I think the idea, Broodstar, is not to turn 270 degrees in a single intersection, but rather, to go a block further down and make a right at the next 3 opportunities.

[Sinue_v2]

Isn't it illegal for commercial vehicles to make right hand turns on a red in many states? I remember having this pointed out to me when I was taking my driving test for a motor-home/RV company. Maybe it's just vehicles of a certain size and weight, due to the slower takeoff speed?

Personally, I can't really see it saving them THAT much money. Turning left often is quite a bit faster, and you waste more gas going from a dead stop to a low speed back to a dead stop several times like when going around a block. Especially if you have to sit there and idle while waiting for an opening in traffic to make your right turn.

[Sharkyland]

short term, no... long term, yes

[Sekani]

I guess the idea is that it saves a miniscule amount of gas, which when multiplied by a zillion trucks adds up to noticeable savings.

Funny thing is, they'd save a LOT more gas by not shutting the engine off every time they make a two minute stop.

[Nisshoku]

Well, since i'm a UPS employee, I kinda knew this for a while, even.