Drink and Drive? You won't even make it to the next block.

 Every so often, I hear about people driving home from the pub after drinking. They would argue that they are only travelling down an empty back street, and the house is just around the corner. And, unfortunately for this man, he didn't make it to the corner.

In fact, he only made it to the first light pole. He came out of the driveway of the pub's parking area, went across 3 lanes, and went back across, up the curb, and straight into the first light pole away from the pub, and it was only 7:30pm.

As a side note, many countries have blood alcohol limits that are stricter than ours, so, if you were just legal to drive, you would be deemed to be too dangerous in other countries.

Andy from Beverly Hills, NSW

Bashing the Bushies

I know that everyone would love to see fuel prices lower, but spare a thought for the people in the bush. We have little or no public transport, and live many, many kilometres from urban services and facilities that urban dwellers understandably take for granted.

Yet, through company and government pricing policies, we pay HEAPS more for our necessary fuel than do our city cousins. The places where the fuel is cheapest are the very same places where daily travel distances are relatively small, and where there are many public travel options such as bus and train.

Surely, fuel should be subsidised in such a way that those who have the furthest to travel, with "no" option other than the family car, pay the smallest cents/litre. Lets overcome this example of geographical inequity. Fair enough?

Ian from Woodenbong, NSW

Maciej

When I learnt about economics in school, I was taught that price was a measure of demand versus supply, however with the price of petrol fluctuating so much in such short spaces of time, without either a change in demand (petrol prices change daily, regardless of how many cars are on the road), and the price reacts in a far more volatile way than supply is affected (the amount of oil on this planet is fixed for the next few million years, regardless of how many wells are set fire to).

So the only conclusion that can be drawn is that the price of petrol is a measure of corporate greed and price fixing across the board.

Maciej from Ormond, VIC

Elderly People Driving

I am deeply concerned that there are elderly people driving on our roads who shouldn't be.

I understand that it must be hard for them to give up their independence, but if their driving is going to lead to them or someone else being killed or maimed, nostalgic emotions do not enter the equation. For those over 60, it should be mandatory to have a yearly medical check-up (testing eyesight, reaction time etc), to see if they are still able to drive.

There have been cases of those not physically up to driving causing horrific accidents. These people must put aside their pride. Driving is a privilege, to be earned, not a right.

Anne from Bardon, QLD

BP FUEL CARD (LPG)

I would like members to know that BP, now offer a free 2 cents off the price of gas at selected outlets! The cards are free.

I find this is an added bonus to the MotorMouth daily email, now I don’t have to cue up for my gas. I think it's a great idea...

Lee-Anne from Reynella, S.A

What about a fair system for Australians?

Australia is (or was) self sufficient in fuel. Cost of production would increase at about the inflation rate Aussie fuel is now artificially high because of govt policy of "Price Parity".

Therefore producers or govt or both are getting windfall profits because of this policy. Some other countries (Venezuela for example) do not have this onerous policy and motorists there pay low prices for petrol (about 7 cents per litre I think).

What about a fair system for Australians?

Jim from Goulburn, NSW

Cheap and Nasty Petrol

Be careful of cheap petrol, as it can sometimes turn nasty. I bought petrol 3 weeks ago at a small independent petrol station for 12 cents a litre less than the large Shell and BP outlets nearby.

Immediately after I bought the fuel I noticed a power drop from my engine which finally lead to blockages in the fuel injectors only 1 week later. So I recommend that people should stick to a brand or a bigger Fuel outlet and stay away from smaller independent outlets especially if they are always very cheap.

Matt from Springvale, VIC

No stress

I wish drivers would take a deep breath and there was less road rage on the road as it is becoming more and more so these days as every one is in a hurry to go places, work, home, holidays, shopping etc.

A little yoga or meditation would not go astray for everyone on the roads and it would be a happier safer place to be.

Bradley from Stafford, QLD

Chevcruza

I run a 6.2 litre chev V8 in my 60 series Landcruiser I am averaging 8Km per Litre. If bio diesel was the same price as normal diesel I would definitely not buy it.

I have produced my own bio diesel for approx .35c per Litre. I am though considering LPG as an alternative to of set the ridiculous price of diesel at the bowser.

Shawen from Balga, WA

Trick for driving an automatic.

If you drive an automatic around town, most cars will not change up to the highest gear as the revs are not high enough. By taking your foot off the accelerator for just a fraction of a second the gear will change up and you use less fuel. Our Magna goes from .5km/litre to 10.5km/litre by just doing this trick.

Malcolm from Warwick, QLD

Petrol Prices

Prices should be all the same price & all at the same time I think it would make a lot of people a lot happier...

Patricia from Busby, NSW

Petrol Costs

It is always about the same time each week that fuel prices go up for no apparent reason. There have been complaints about this to the government, but why has the government done nothing about it?

Is it due to the revenue that they receive from this or don't they care as they have government cars and don't pay for their own fuel?

Daren from Thornlands, QLD