Eco-safe driving
Eco-safe driving is a style of driving that will help to reduce damage to our planet and the air we breathe whilst improving road safety and saving you up to 15% on your fuel bill. Transport currently accounts for 20% of all air pollution emissions in the world.
Eco-safe driving is not about driving slowly (although this would undoubtedly help to reduce fuel consumption and accidents) it is more about avoiding senseless wastage of fuel through unnecessary acceleration or braking, inefficient use of the gears and speeding (i.e. exceeding permitted limits or driving at speeds unsafe for the prevailing conditions). The skills required for hazard perception, defensive driving and progressive driving play a big part in eco-safe driving as they will help you to avoid inefficient use of the accelerator, brake and gears through better awareness, anticipation and planning. There are four key aspects to being an eco-safe driver namely:
1. Minimise harsh or rapid acceleration
Whenever it is safe to do so, gradually increase speed by gently depressing the accelerator. Don't peak the revs on your rev counter, try to get them to grow steadily in line with your speed on your speedometer.
Don't accelerate unnecessarily. Look well ahead to see what is happening, to ensure that any acceleration now will not be wasted a little later on because you have to brake.
Let gravity aid you so that if you are going down hill you may find you can fully release pressure on the accelerator and still maintain a safe speed.
2. Minimise harsh braking or unnecessary stopping
Look well ahead and if you see that you will need to reduce speed, do it gradually using engine braking by simply releasing pressure on the accelerator rather than applying the brake at the last minute. Gradually adjust your speed to time your arrival at meet situations or when turning right such that you can potentially maintain progress and avoid having to stop. Similarly, you can do this when emerging from a give way junction provided you have a good view of the road you intend to emerge into as you approach the junction.
3. Engage higher gears as soon as possible without labouring the engine
Avoid engaging unnecessary intermediate gear changes so that you can more quickly engage higher gears or delay engaging lower gears. Modern cars are designed to deliver power even when engine revs are quite low and provided you haven't lost momentum as you slow down you will be surprised how late you can leave a downward gear change without risking an engine stall.
4. Avoid manoeuvring whilst the engine is cold if at all possible
Cold engines use more fuel. Do any manoeuvring before you get out of the vehicle rather then when you return to the vehicle (for example by reversing into parking places or driveways rather than reversing out). Not only does this save fuel, it is also a much safer way to emerge onto a road.
Finally, if you need to use a manual choke to start the vehicle, always remember to press it back in once the engine is sufficiently warm. Driving safety is paramount, so never sacrifice safety for fuel saving.
The above behaviours will not only save you fuel they will also save wear and tear on the car's engine, brakes and tyres thus saving you even more money. By driving less impulsively and continually planning ahead you will not only save money you will also become an even safer driver. So save money, save lives, save our planet - adopt an eco-safe style of driving.