Sustainable Car Driving

[amandajane]

Here is a really good article that people might be interested in:

Overview

You can get yourself a more fuel-efficient car without paying any money. All you have to do is change your driving habits. Instead of flooring the pedal when the light turns green and speeding off to the next red light—where you’ll slam on the brakes—try a smoother, lighter approach to driving. It can actually make a big dent in the gas you use—and consequently lower pollutant emissions and lower gas expenses. And it’s safer to boot!

Sustainable Choices -- On the Road

It's the next bit that I found really interesting:

Tips & Tricks

The Zen of driving: avoid aggression. Don’t accelerate towards stop signs or red lights. Don’t go for “jack rabbit” starts. Aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage as much as 33%.

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Worth a thought isn't it :0) 33% - that's a substantial saving. I am a slow driver anyway, having a 1300 car doesn't make for speeding, lol.

[Rebecca]

I don't own a car, it's just too expensive for parking where I live. I use my local CarShare program, which is awesome - you pay a low hourly rate (about $4) which covers everything -- insurance, parking and gas. They are all electric hybrid cars, which are great to drive. I really recommend them. The gas mileage is amazing.

[rodaniel]

Y'know, those are worthwhile recommendations even if fuel efficiency isn't your primary concern. It seems like so many people are such horribly aggressive and/or careless drivers these days.

Few people seem to put even a moment's thought into the repercussions of their driving habits - sure, you might shave 30 seconds off your commute by driving like a crazed lunatic - and if you've failed to plan ahead, this could mean the difference between arriving at work on time or late, but how much later will you be for work if you are dead? Or how much will it matter if you made it to work on time but some other driver was seriously hurt or killed in doing so?

Think I'm overestating the matter? Perhaps you've forgotten that these beasts careening down our roadways are multi-ton affairs - when accidents happen, they can easily be fatal. And SUVs are the worst thing around because of the entirely false sense of security (and superiority) that they foster. All of the air-bags, electronic stabilization, antilock brake systems, and other techno-doodads in the world won't compensate for crappy driving skills or negligent driving attitudes.

Rob

[simplyjan]

And walking small distances instead of taking your car is even better for your pocket (and your health).

Jan

[amandajane]

Hi Rebecca - I wish I could do without. Unfortunately it would be really difficult and far less frugal for me to take public transport to Uni, and there's no one near that I could car pool with. If I get the chance I will though.

rodaniel, I don't think you're overstating it. My old flat mate has a high performance car and drives aggressively. He knows it costs him way more in fuel (and speeding tickets!) to drive like that but he still does.

simplyjan, I am going to start doing that too. The local dairy is about a 15 minute walk, not too far, but I've been lazy so far, bad me!