He's noticed the same thing about traffic lights

Dear Klonie:

I just read your column on traffic lights. I have noticed the same thing. I know there are sensors under the road that detect when traffic is there but sometimes it seems that they are not used.

Also, I have noticed that myself and six to eight other cars are sometimes stopped just to let one vehicle at the intersection get a quick green light after activating the sensors at a particular intersection. This is very fuelish to stop six to eight cars just to let one car get a green. If we can put sensors at the intersection, maybe we should put a few more sensors in the road and try to make our traffic control lights work "smarter."

One other thing I notice about excessive fuel use: I see the big SUVs and pickups (I have one as well) that will take off wide open after getting a green light, while it is apparent there is a red light at the next intersection. They drive wide open and at the last minute have to stand on the brakes to get stopped. It seems to make more sense to let off your gas pedal well before you get to a red light intersection and coast to a stop. When you are coasting, it is literally free mileage. Also, if you coast to the next intersection, and then the light turns green before you get there, you now have a "rolling start" and that uses a lot less gas than starting from standstill.

I tried this on my Ford SUV and went from 16 miles per gallon to 20 miles per gallon a couple of years ago.

Earl Scruggs Gaffney, S.C.