Doing Your Bit
The Council alone cannot make the air we breathe less polluted, all of us must look at our lifestyles and the way we use our cars. The following top tips will help you and your family contribute to improved air quality and probably save you money too!
- Try and do all your trips in one journey, rather than starting the car 4 of 5 times to go on little errands. A cold car engine pollutes up to 5 times more than when it is warm
- Share a car or start a car pool
- Have fun! Ride a bike or walk for short journeys rather than take the car. Walking and cycling are easy ways to get exercise and improve your health as well as improving air quality
- Care for your car. Regular maintenance, changing the oil and checking tyre pressure can reduce exhaust emissions, improve mileage, extend your car’s life and resale value
- Don’t fill your car right up to the top of the tank. It releases petrol fumes into the air and cancels the benefits of the pump’s anti-pollution devices
- Drive more efficiently, for example avoid rapid acceleration and heavy breaking and stick within the speed limit. Significantly more fuel is used to travel the same distance when driving at 70mph instead of 50mph. Eco driving can save around 15% on your fuel bill while also reducing emissions
- Think about emissions when you purchase your next vehicle as some vehicles pollute more than others. There is a lower annual tax on lower polluting vehicles.
The Energy Saving Trust can provide free, impartial advice on a range on sustainable transport matters, including the lowest CO2 emitting cars in each class and what to look for when buying a used car. Freephone 0800 512012 or visit the Energy Saving Trust website.
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