Driving habits can do a lot for fuel efficiency, as we know, but there are other ways of dealing with the continued high cost of fuel, up another 5 cents nationally last week. Seeing the gross inflation of crude markets that has been part and parcel of the world commodities markets in the past four-five years, owner-operator Jim Schlise, leased to Usher Transport in Louisville, Ky., rather cheekily outfitted each of the two fuel tanks on his 1990 Peterbilt 379 with these decals.

I imagine he’s not the only one. I caught up with Schlise at the Pilot stop on Centennial Boulevard off Briley Parkway in West Nashville yesterday after we’d talked about his experience running tanks for nearly three decades, half of that time leased with Usher. He was recently named Kentucky’s 2010 Driver of the Year, a fitting acknowledgement of his many years of safe service. Here’s a short vid with some pics of his equipment and his story of a quite nice storefront-sign-like emblem gracing his tractor’s doors: James A. Schlise, EST. 1951…