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Drive 55 -- for Your Pocketbook and the Planet |
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Friday, 23 May 2008 |
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Written by Will Frampton, Reporter/Multimedia Journalist
 SACRAMENTO, CA - Long before most of us knew what it meant, Tim Castleman was "going green." He walked or rode a bike to get around -- and when he had to drive, he saved gas.
Boy, did he save.
"I got the lead out of my right foot and turned it into gold," said Castleman. "It's money in my pocket."
Castleman says he saves 50 percent over other drivers. That's what Castleman says he kept by keeping his speedometer at or under 55.
"Once you get used to it, it's a lot more relaxing, a lot less stressful," he said.
The concept of saving gas by accelerating less isn't new, but Castleman believes most people have ignored it.
To make people notice, Castleman started the drive55.org Web site in
2002. And with the current gas prices, Castleman says more heads have
started turning.
"I'm getting news organizations from across the country calling me up (for interviews)," he said.
Castleman said he spent years trying to get state legislators to change
California's freeway speed limit to 55. That never happened, so he went
a different direction with his Web site. Castleman said he's sold
hundreds of his special 55 bumper stickers.
"Once you put the bumper sticker on your vehicle, there's an immediate effect," Castleman said.
Besides saving money, Castleman argues that less acceleration also cuts down on carbon-dioxide emissions.
Castleman knows he doesn’t have much of an audience for his message.
“It's not popular with everybody. Tthere are some people who really resent the idea," Castleman said.
But he says it's a choice everyone can make to save right now. If gas
prices keep going up, Castleman argues that choice may turn to
necessity.
Source: News10.net http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=42326
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