For the past month, in response to $4 per gallon gasoline, I have been conducting a driving experiment: I have been setting my cruise control right on 60 mph while on Highways 70, 370, and 270, and have made sure that my tires are properly inflated. I have seen my miles per gallon jump from 25 to 30.

I fill my tank every time I use 10 gallons of gasoline. So for each tank of gas, I am gaining 50 miles of free driving. After six 10-gallon fill ups, I have gained 300 miles. Therefore, my 7th tank of gas, at $40, is “free.”

But I have also noted that more than 95 percent of drivers pass me…many like I am standing still. A Hummer happily passed me recently…going well over 80. Young and old, men and women, little cars and large trucks alike pass me. I get some dirty looks, I get tailgated.

I’m wondering: has it not occurred to most American drivers that we are more consuming more fuel than we need to, and the money we are spending for that fuel is contributing to making market speculators, oil companies (like Exxon Mobil) and OPEC filthy rich?

Doesn’t it make sense to slow down, reduce fuel consumption, save money, reduce greenhouse gasses, and reduce the pornographic profits of those taking advantage of us?

Do we really need the government to tell us to slow down before we decide to do so on our own? Can’t we do this of our own volition, simply because it is the right thing to do? If millions of us combined to do this, the impact would be significant.

The group effort could be construed as an act of collective patriotism during a time of economic and environmental crisis.

Joseph Cusumano, Ph.D.

St. Charles