A slow realisation

As it happens, and I still can't quite believe my luck, I heard no more after the coppers had cautioned me and, off the record, said a prison term was not out of the question - we're talking driving at well into three figures here, I'm afraid.

Perhaps they just wanted to frighten me. They sure as hell succeeded. Since that night I've rarely touched 90mph (only in getting out of the way situations) and these days I rarely reach 70mph.

Me and lots of others ... welcome to the world of the hypermilers.

A search on Google or Wikipedia will fill you in on the background, but what it means is driving to get the maximum mileage out of your precious and increasingly expensive fuel.

I recall the Tories trying to get the motorway speed limit raised to 80mph and, only a few months back, I would have said that was the average top speed on motorways. Every driver will tell you that the traffic cops don't start to look at you below that speed (unless you're driving south on a northbound carriageway).

Now average speeds are much, much less. Most people are driving much less frantically, braking less and doing all the other hypermiling things (carry less weight, close windows, no air conditioning, don't fill your tank right up etc).

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo (top speed 171mph) goes from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds. I'm trying to stretch that out to two minutes and I smile when instead of having to brake for traffic lights I can slow down by lifting my foot off the accelerator and cruising through just as they turn to green.

Anyone else got any tips?

See you in the slow lane ...