NCJ Number
75908
Journal
Trooper Dated: (February 1981) Pages: 32-35
Date Published
1981
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes how the Illinois State Police are trained to drive and maintain their cars to save fuel under the Safe and Fuel Efficient driving (SAFE) project.
Abstract
The Illinois program is patterned after the SAFE in Maryland. The training takes about 2 hours. After viewing the slide presentation and training film, police officers, accompanied by instructors, drive cars equipped with a Flowmeter, a device that measures fuel consumption as the car is driven. The Flowmeter is connected to an auditory readout, which generates more or less noise depending on the amount of wasted fuel. To drive in a fuel-efficient way, police officers learn to discard some of the old habits. For example, instead of warming up the car for 15 minutes before driving after a cold start, it is enough, even in winter, to warm it up for only 15 seconds. Fuel-efficient techniques do not interfere with police work, and some actually help it. For example, the most economical cruising speed is 48 to 52 mph. This speed, which is just below the 55 mph limit, allows the troopers to observe passing traffic and as a result to observe and write more moving violations. Other fuel-efficient driving techniques include tips on when and how to accelerate, brake, and use air conditioning. Car maintenance is also given attention under the program. For example, troopers are required to keep their tires at maximum recommended pressures, and the rule is enforced by monthly inspections. Filters, plugs, and wires are also checked more frequently. In addition, the officers are encouraged not to overload their cars, since every extra 100 pounds carried in their car accounts for about a half-gallon fuel loss. Statistical data and photographs are included.