What you can do

Transport is an essential part of modern life, but we can’t ignore its environmental consequences – local, regional and global. There’s increasing public concern for the protection of our environment, with the result that many motor manufacturers are devoting more time, effort and resources to the development of environmentally friendly vehicles.

But you, as a driver, can also help. If you follow the principles of ecosafe driving set out in the following pages, you’ll become a more environmentally friendly driver and

• your journeys will be more comfortable
• you could considerably reduce your fuel bills
• you could reduce those emissions that cause damage to the atmosphere.

In addition, you’ll become a safer driver as you develop your planning, perception and anticipation skills to a high level.

Try to drive in an ecosafe manner at all times, whether you’re driving for business or for pleasure. Fuel, like all forms of power, costs money as well as having an impact on the environment. Minimising the fuel or power you use is always important, both for the planet and for your pocket.

However, although it’s good to save fuel, you mustn’t compromise your own safety or that of other road users when attempting to do so. Road safety is more important than saving fuel. At all times you should be prepared to adapt to changing conditions and it may be that you have to sacrifice fuel-saving for safety.

The effects of pollution

Air pollution contributes to health problems for many people. In densely populated areas, traffic is the biggest source of air pollution. Road transport accounts for a significant proportion of all emissions and how we drive can make a surprising difference to local air quality.

The particular problem with emissions from vehicles is that they’re at ground level. People with conditions such as respiratory problems, heart disease or vascular disease are particularly exposed.

In addition, pollution from motor vehicles causes changes to communities and the landscape, including

• damage to vegetation
• deterioration and weakening of buildings and bridges
• the depletion of natural resources
• disruption of wildlife.

Fuel combustion produces

• carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas; transport accounts for about one-fifth of the carbon dioxide we produce in this country
• nitric oxides; these add nitrogen to the atmosphere, causing damage and disturbance to the ecosystem.

Catalytic converters in good working order reduce these emissions.

What you can do to help

The car has become a central feature in our lives, but it’s still possible to drive in a manner that’s less harmful to the environment by taking care and giving some thought to how, and when, we drive.

We give some suggestions on the following pages about what you can do to help.