Best way to ease pain at the pump is to slow down

QI read that 95% of households are changing spending habits because of inflation. I sure don't see evidence of that affecting driving habits, where 7080 mph seems to be the norm. Maybe it's time to pull out one of your old columns from the early 2000s, when you taught us what a difference slowing down can have. After you did that, there was a whole subculture in the South Bay slowing to 60-65 mph.

At the time, I noticed that whenever I went out of the Mercury News coverage area, speeds increased. How much difference can driving 6065 mph make?

— Larry Edson

AA ton. Driving at 80 mph versus 60 mph can radically reduce gas mileage. One Department of Energy study showed that aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 15-30% on the highway. At $6 per gallon, faster drivers burn between 90 cents and $1.80 more per gallon to cover the same ground.

QHaving read about state and federal gas tax relief, I looked at several recent pump receipts. I know the advertised price “includes all applicable taxes,” but was surprised that the receipt didn't break out the various taxes. State and federal taxes are shown on a sticker on the pump, 53.9 cents state and 18.4 cents federal, but the sales tax is not shown on the sticker, nor is it printed on the receipt.

Why doesn't my receipt break out these taxes, while other retail receipts do?

— Tom Shoup, Los Altos

AIt should be possible for them to provide this information on receipts, although it is complex. Some gas taxes are flat taxes, some are based on sales tax rates and can vary from city to city and agency to agency.

QI just drove on Interstate 5 from the Bay Area to Ashland, Oregon. Several of the rest areas were closed and there was no advance warning that that would be the case. Can Caltrans provide this information at the previous rest area? This would help to make everyone's drive more comfortable. — Carol Gilpin,

San Ramon

AIt would. In the meantime try the EXIT app, which lists this information.

QI was driving on Interstate 680 in Concord with my wife in our Tesla and saw a sign that said HOV lane marked 2+ along with FasTrak required. I drove in the lane for about 3-4 miles. I continued to see the FasTrak required sign, so I pulled out of the HOV lane and got in with the slow traffic.

Will I get a ticket?

— Chris Leong,

Walnut Creek

AUnlikely, but if you do get a penalty, toll agencies can waive the penalty for first-time violators who enroll in the FasTrak electronic toll collection program.