Speed and maintain distance

In the past, and even today, many people believed that driving closely behind a lorry would save fuel. However, this is based on a misunderstanding. What happens is that if the lorry slows down, you also have to release the accelerator and probably brake as well. If the lorry then picks up speed again, you have to accelerate again to drive closely behind the lorry. A logical consequence is that this doesn’t save fuel.
Another disadvantage is that this doesn’t improve road safety. For more information on this topic, please refer to the chapter on speed and visit the topic about maintaining your distance.

Besides maintaining your distance, looking far ahead and therefore releasing the accelerator in time will significantly reduce fuel consumption. Examples include:

• If you see a traffic jam moving slowly or standing still, release the accelerator.
• If you see a traffic light turning orange or red, release the accelerator.
• If you see pedestrians at a pedestrian crossing, release the accelerator.
• If you see a sharp bend in the distance, release the accelerator.
• If you see another traffic situation that requires you to stop, ease off the gas.