Slow Stroud: how to drive green

OK what can we all do now that means less emissions, money saved and saves casualties. Plus it's easy to save more than the 5% emissions that biofuels (if they really were carbon neutral) would save by 2010. I'll save that biofuel argument for another day here I want to look at what it means to drive green......

Photo: Poster from Government's new campaign

The Government launched this month a new campaign to reduce CO2 emissions by encouraging motorists to check their air pressures, not to rev the engine and not exceed the speed limit. This ‘Drive Smarter’ campaign, promoted by the Department for Transport, states that CO2 emissions could be reduced by 8 per cent if all drivers in the UK followed the campaign’s smarter driving tips – this equals 5.5 million tonnes of CO2 a year, or more than £2billion in fuel costs.

This campaign is the first to be launched under the cross Government brand ‘Act on CO2’, and aims to provide the public with information on how to reduce individual carbon emissions (see their suggestions below). Sadly it is a hugely missed opportunity. The former Environment Minister, Michael Meacher has said:

"We are at war against climate change. Business as usual, while relying on improved technology as a get-out card, is a fool's game."

This Government has still not grasped it and shies away from even suggesting we drive slower than the speed limit. The Green party in contrast has a much more radical policy that includes:

TR114 In rural areas, apart from trunk roads, the maximum speed limit would be 40m.p.h. Local communities would be encouraged to set lower limits on country lanes where pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders would be particularly vulnerable. They would also be encouraged to designate green lanes where these modes would have priority, and where feasible, to close lanes that act as through routes to allow only for these modes plus local access.

TR115 On major roads outside of built up areas, the maximum speed limit allowed would be 55m.p.h., to maximise the efficiency of fuel use as well as improving safety.

As the Government admits at 70mph you could be using up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more fuel than at 50mph. There is also evidence to show that the slower speeds would lead to better flows of traffic during peak periods of traffic. A mandatory max speed limit of 55 mph would significantly cut emissions and make a very positive move towards our targets.

Sadly we are not going to see that at the moment - and hey the motoring lobby would no doubt get plenty of signatures like they did on their anti-road pricing petition - some the 1.7 million. The greatest pity of it all is that if argued properly many of these schemes like lower speeds could be accepted but political will is lacking. Shockingly those who oppose all these measures fail to provide any alternatives that could cut our emissions - two local councillors I had email correspondence with both rejected road pricing but when asked to put forward an alternative suggestion to cut our traffic emissions came up with nothing...

So what can we do?

Well this week I had an email from a member of the Minnesota Green party in Pine County, U.S.A. He wrote: "...we have been promoting a very simple concept which has been gaining momentum. I thought that your group may be interested and have included our web page for your inspection. Very simply, we have come up with a method of encouraging people to slow down their vehicles when driving and come together as global citizens to reduce fossil fuel consumption. We have over 10,000 emblems on cars around our area and if you would like to share with the people of Britain, please do so."

Photo above: Logo from Minnesota

This is similar to an idea I came across last year from Australia while researching more on the Shared Spaces approach to traffic - the idea of Pace Cars. As author of the excellent book 'Mental Speed bumps', David Engwicht says:

"Pace Car drivers pledge to drive within the speed limit, stop to let pedestrians cross, walk when they can, and do something to their car to make others smile."

In some areas cars have stickers saying they stick to the limits. Apparently very interesting discussions can take place between locals about whether they would put the sticker on their car - it seems it is OK to speed in others' neighbourhoods but outrageous that vehicles go fast in their home areas...

It seems to me we could do something similar locally...give a whole new meaning to the concept of a 'Slow Stroud'.... perhaps our own designed emblem or perhaps the Minnesota logo?

Smarter driving tips from the Government

Pump up to cut down
Under inflated tyres create more resistance when your car is moving, which means your engine has to work harder, so more fuel is used and more CO2 emissions are produced. Simply check and adjust your tyre pressures regularly and also before long journeys. This will also help to increase the life of your tyres. Under inflated tyres increase CO2 but over inflated tyres can be unsafe so check your car manual for the correct tyre pressure. Remember, a car with a heavier load may need different air pressure in the tyres.

Less clutter in your car means less CO2
Clutter in your boot is extra weight your engine has to lug around. By removing it, you could reduce your engine's workload. This will burn less fuel and cut your CO2 emissions so unload any items you won't need for your journey before you set out.
Driving at an appropriate speed reduces CO2
Speed limits are the maximum lawful speeds which may be driven in ideal circumstances. Drivers should never exceed the speed limit. Staying at or within the speed limit increases driver safety. It also reduces CO2 emissions and saves money on your petrol costs. At 70mph you could be using up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more fuel than at 50mph.

Less stopping and starting means less CO2
Every time you stop then start again in a traffic queue, the engine uses more fuel and therefore produces more CO2. Keep an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear. In this way, the traffic may have started moving again by the time you approach the vehicle in front, so you can then change gear and be on your way.

Over revving accelerates emissions
Modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment they are switched on, so revving up like a Formula 1 car in pole position only wastes fuel and increases engine wear. Using your gears wisely by changing up a gear a little earlier can also reduce revs. If you drive a diesel car try changing up a gear when the rev counter reaches 2000rpm. For a petrol car change up at 2500rpm.

Idling is wasting fuel
When the engine is idling you're wasting fuel and adding to CO2 emissions. If you're likely to be at a standstill for more than 3 minutes, simply switch off the engine.

See more re their campaign here.