HOME | ABOUT MyTriState | REPORT ERROR | PRIVACY POLICY
Driving.MyTriState.us
Welcome to our Driving and Carpooling blog! Here, we'll talk about all things commuting by car, including driving, car pooling and slugging.
commuting | bus | subway | train | weather | driving & car pooling | maps
Better Fuel Economy for your car
We've got a few basic tips you can apply to better your fuel economy and the age old question about whats better for your car and fuel economy.
Clean your car
We talked to a guy who drove around with a few bags of cement in his car for months because he thought he needed them for a project, but didn't. He always meant to return them to the store, but never did. This sort of extra weight in your car is NOT helping your fuel economy!
Drive Slower
Something as simple as doing the speed limit should save you gas, so if you care about fuel economy, slow down! And you might get points for getting somewhere early, but if you don't make it at all because you got in a wreck, well, that's much worse, isn't it?
Take your roof rack down!
We know its a pain, but take your roof rack down when you're not using it - this is creating wind resistance that is not helping your fuel economy. Better yet, try to store everything inside your car, that works best.
Check your tires
Properly inflated tires will save you money on gas. Buy yourself a $2 tire gauge checker and check your air pressure a few times a month; it'll save you miles to the gallon, no question.
Air Conditioning or Windows? Both!
Yes, using a combination of both your A/C system and open windows will save you on fuel economy. During the summer, when your car is out there baking, driving the first few minutes with the windows open, especially if you're driving at low speeds - wind resistance doesn't matter much when you're going slow or not on the high way.
Broadway closures should reduce congestion and pollution
In a move that we view as direct retaliation for the failure of the congestion pricing plan, Mayor Bloomberg will order the closing of seven blocks between 47th and 42nd Sts. through Times Square, and from 35th to 33rd Sts. through Herald Square. This is added to the two lanes already closed on Broadway between Times Squares and Herald Squares in 2008. This is great because no one wants to drive in this area anyway, and if you do drive in this area and you're not affiliated with mass transit, taxis, delivery service or some other support industry, we're pretty sure you're insane and probably are a menace to the welfare of pedestrians and other motorists. Driving as part of our daily commute needs to become a thing of the past, especially when you're commuting into Manhattan. Read more in our environment blog, and we haven't even touched on the insane percentage of New York City children that have pollution induced asthma.
$2 Toll for Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge is a great idea
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is calling for a $2 toll for using the East River bridges, which includes the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge. We think this is a plan that's long over due, as the tri state area, regardless of state, is feeling their budgets crunched and combine that with the tri state area's zillions of bridges, tunnels and causeways that need maintenance and repairs. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said in a statement: “I have always maintained these tolls are discriminatory, impractical and impose an unfair ‘tax’ on Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.” We must disagree with President Markowitz on this isse, as anyone who drives inbound to Manhattan should be tolled, or no one should. Why is it OK for those using the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel or George Washington Bridge to pay an insane $8 toll while residents of Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx get off free and let residents of Bergen County and Hudson County shoulder the burden? We understand the situation isn't exactly the same, but still, it's time for the residents of the other boroughs to pay their fair share - or take mass transit and avoid the toll all together. We hope this will influence people to get out of their cars and that will in turn reduce pollution.
Bloomberg will reduce free parking permits by 20%
There's a story today on New York Times website that reports on Mayor Bloomberg's plan to reduce free parking permits for NYC employees by 20%. That's a little less than 30,000 new parking spaces that could open up - pretty sweet! We think that the idea here is to hopefully influence city employees to use mass transit during their daily commute rather than driving. Sounds good to us - less cars on the road means less pollution. We know city employees work hard, but the congestion and global warming concerns are pretty significant these days. We also have that peak time toll charge to look forward to... apparently, it's been successful in London.
Other Commuting Websites
Not all driving and carpooling websites are the same! Check them out carefully!
EZ Pass
ezpass.com of New Jersey, paturnpike.com of PA, ezpassny.com of NY can hook you up with an EZ Pass - there's no reason not to get one. In fact, if you don't have an EZ Pass, you're wasting time and losing money on tolls and gas.
Metro Commute
MetroCommute.com has traffic alerts for the New York City Area in map format and other driving and commuting info.
Traffic Cams
New York:
nyctmc.org serves Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island
nysthruway.gov/webcams/ serves the Governor Thomas E. Dewey Thruway
New Jeresey:
nj.gov/transportation/traffic/cameras/ serves the state of New Jersey
Pennsylvania:
nb.net/~finals/allcams.htm serves the state of Pennsylvania
Connecticut:
conndot.ct.gov/tig/cams.htm serves the state of Connecticut
SHARE:
Share on Facebook
