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How can I Help Reduce Pollution on the Road?
Summary
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Information and links on how you can help reduce pollution on the road.
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Help to reduce air pollution by following this simple checklist to ensure you minimise the impact of your driving:
- Avoid using your car for shorter journeys - cold engines create more pollution than fully warmed engines so try not to use your car for short trips. Walk, cycle or take the bus - you might even enjoy it!
- Care for your car - check tuning, tyre pressure and fuel consumption - regular servicing helps keep your car efficient and saves fuel.
- Lighten up - unnecessary weight increases fuel consumption. Roof racks add drag - an empty roof rack will cost you an extra 5% on fuel costs, a badly loaded roof rack could cost you an extra 30%. What do you have in your boot that you do not really need to carry at all times?
- Drive gently - racing starts and sudden stops increase fuel consumption - fast ‘Grand Prix’ style starts can use up to 60% more fuel than normal starts. Use higher gears when traffic conditions allow.
- Steady your speed - at around 50 mph emissions will be lowest, rising dramatically above 70 mph. Up to 30% more fuel is used travelling at 70 mph compared with 50 mph.
- Switch off when stationary - if stuck in traffic or stopping for more than a minute. Idling engines make sitting in jams even more unpleasant. Do not run the engine unnecessarily - drive off soon after starting.
- Fuel efficiency - When choosing a new car ask about fuel efficiency. A lot of new technologies and fuels claim to be green, or better for the environment. You can check the carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption of new cars on the Directgov's car fuel, CO2, and vehicle tax tools website. Most advertisements for new cars also give the carbon dioxide emission and this information will also be available at the showroom.
- Alternative fuels - Vehicles that run on alternative fuels are available: LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), electric or hybrid vehicles and there are grants available to help with purchase. Cleaner fuels are becoming more widely available and can save you money and reduce pollution. Look at the Government's Energy Saving Trust's transport web page for more information.
- Air conditioning - these and other on board electrical devices increase fuel consumption - only use them when really necessary.
- Share your journeys - combine chores on one trip, go shopping with friends or a neighbour, take a colleague to work.
- Car share - a number of communities and local authorities are starting car share clubs. Find out more from the CarPlus website. As part of Suffolk's commitment to reduce congestion and pollution, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and Suffolk ACRE are working in partnership in association with liftshare to set up Suffolk Car Share website, which is managed by Suffolk ACRE.
Further information about cutting car pollution can be obtained from the Environmental Protection UK's car pollution web page. |
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Related pages on this website ...
External links ...
Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Defra works to control and manage air quality across the UK, setting out a way forward for work and planning on air quality issues and setting the air quality standards and objectives to be achieved. The Government’s UK Air Quality Strategy web page sets objectives for the main air pollutants to protect health and was published in July 2007 UK Air Quality Strategy web page. Air quality web page.
UK-AIR: Air Information Resource
Find out what the air quality is currenltly like in your area, or find out about air quality from in the UK from the present back to 1960. UK-AIR: Air Information Resource web page
Suffolk Car Share
This website aims to promote all forms of transport and integrate both public and private transport modes. It's about maximising people's travel options whilst also reducing the number of cars on the roads, cutting pollution, saving money and protecting the environment. Suffolk Car Share website
CarPlus
Carplus is the national charity promoting responsible car use. CarPlus website
Energy Saving Trust
Smarter driving or eco-driving could save you up to £220 a year in petrol or diesel. Doing this means your car will produce less carbon dioxide (CO2), the main gas contributing to climate change. Energy Saving Trust's transport web page
Environmental Protection UK
Whilst travel by car is often the only practicable option, there are simple steps we can all take to reduce the number of journeys we take and their impact on the environment. Environmental Protection UK transport web page
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Last updated on: 21 December 2011 | Date of next review: 21 December 2012
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