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Slow! Slow! Slow! Slow! Slow!

May 14, 2008

A slow summer? They predicted that last year and they’re predicting it again this year. They may be right, finally.

We know, for example, that planes are flying slower in order to save fuel. We also know that motorists are driving slower — if not safer — because our government told us so. (It also informed us we were “not invincible.” Maybe it should take its own advice, at least when it comes to Iraq … but I digress.)

We’re getting pressure from all kinds of special interest groups to step on the brakes. The latest is the Governors Highway Safety Association, which today reminded us that slowing down will not only reduce the amount of money we have to spend on gas, but also could save our lives.

Wow, really?

I wouldn’t be surprise to see my friends at AAA make some reference to the summer of slow when it releases its Memorial Day forecast for travel tomorrow. After all, slow is hot.

I wonder how many travelers are interested in being trendy this summer, which is to say, getting there fashionably late?

Any takers?

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

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4 comments

  • http://www.shipcriticblog.com Anne Campbell

    I see quite a few nice ships with attractive pricing not selling this summer. You may be right, Chris.

  • Jasper

    Slowing down in traffic is awesome. About a year ago, I decided to stop speeding (except on long distance drives, where I stick to a wimpy +9 miles). I did some calculations (helped by my navigation thingie) showing that speeding 10-15 miles does not help you what-so-ever if you’re driving less and an hour. Couple minutes, that’s all. Well, for my peace of mind, I now stick as much as I can to the speed limit. It’s lovely, because traffic is a lot less hectic when you’re the slower participant. Plus, I can really laugh at people who get ticketed now., without feeling guilty myself.

    Furthermore, I’ve always wondered why people get so worked up about a couple thousand people dying in Iraq, while last year roughly *forty two thousand* people died in traffic, and a couple hundred thousand got hurt one way or another.

    I wish all that outrage in the media about wasted life, blood and money in Iraq were turned to traffic safety. Since 2001, as far as I know, nobody in the US has been killed in a terror plot, but near 250.000 people have died in traffic (6*42.000). That’s more than the entire population in cities like Baton Rouge LA, Norfolk VA, Greensboro, NC, Lincoln NE, or Jersey City NJ.

    The numbers are staggering. But we accept the traffic risk in life, while we are petrified by a terror risk that doesn’t exist (no deaths = no risk). And politicians? They only get re-elected when they build road, not when they build safe roads.

  • Ken

    We’re going to Alaska in July. The cruise fare dropped 15% and there was good availability of hotels, cars, and tours. Several places admitted bookings are down this year. Also on several drives between the LA and LV areas, traffic on I-15 was noticeably lighter.

  • http://www.familyonbikes.org familyonbikes

    We are REALLY going slow!! We’ll be taking off in three weeks to ride our bikes from Alaska to Argentina with our ten-year-old twin boys!! We’ll definitely be living life in the slow lane for the next 2 1/2 years or so.

    You can read about our journey at http://www.familyonbikes.org

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