Helping the environment
Promoting cleaner businesses is one of seven key areas Roads and Maritime Services (replacing Roads and Traffic Authority) has identified to improve under its Action For Air Plan.
As up to 60 per cent of vehicles sold are for work purposes, targeting work driving and reduced fuel consumption can substantially reduce emissions, reduce costs for organisations and promote safer styles of driving.
Environmental concerns and road safety have historically been seen as conflicting. However, new studies suggest that there is a link between a reduction in speeding, a promotion of non-aggressive driving and an improvement in the environment.
Total fuel consumption can be reduced by a combination of strategies. These include reducing travel distances and planning the most efficient route, and reducing fuel consumption rate.
The cost of repairs is not only a burden financially but also environmentally. Reducing the need for body repairs equates to less materials required to replace parts of a vehicle, and also reduced pollution in producing them.
Driver behaviours are also significant in the consumption of fuel.
Choice of travel speed, smoothness of driving, choice of travel route, use of air conditioning and cruise control all affect your fuel consumption levels.
Taking safety home
Safer work drivers are more likely to be safer drivers at home. Safer work drivers can influence their family and friends to adopt safer driving attitudes and practices. Learner drivers can benefit from safety orientated family members when learning to drive thus fostering a new generation of safer drivers.