Auto Gossip

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33448, 1 February 1974, Page 11

Auto Gossip

by

A.J.P.

Fuel saving This is the last week-end when petrol stations will be allowed to stay open past noon on Saturday, but I wonder how much petrol will be saved as a result? The effect, 1 suspect, is intended to be mainly psychological. Although the move will eliminate long week-end trips, I suspect the amount of fuel actually used on such trips is not a very high proportion of total consumption. The effect might be just as marked if the public was told by the Government just what the fuel supply situation is—if, in fact, the Government does know. As it is, most people in the motor trade and outside it believe that the Government is keeping most of the facts to itself.

The threat of earless divs also hangs over us,: but I suspect the disruption; and administrative! difficulties they would cause would be out of line with the actual savings. I As with the bamon neon! signs—which saves very little energy, but has an undoubted psychological effect—l suspect the main intent is to remind people of the need to save fuel. Regardless of how much! we have been told, it is) clear that motorists must avoid burning up fuel unnecessarily. Readers who) are trying to save fuel tell) me they find the young) men joy-riding in greedy: and noisy old VBs, and! being passed by buses doing 65 m.p.h. rather hard) to bear. True, but it re-i mains up to the individual) to do his best.