How to be a greener driver

Can't bear to give up your car? Then simply changing the way you use it can dramatically reduce your impact on the environment - and save you money, too. Clint Witchalls gives eco-motoring a try

Published: 21 November 2005

I have a confession to make. I'm one of those awful people who drive their children to school. You can tut-tut all you like, but it's simply too far to walk and there are no direct bus routes. I once tried cycling, but my son was put off by a speeding van that almost ran him over. He tried cycling on the pavement, but got nothing but abuse from pedestrians. So it was back to the car for us.

I'm well aware that cars are the second biggest cause of global warming after coal-fired power stations, and that air pollution has been linked to a range of lung disorders as well as, more recently, to strokes and heart attacks. Unfortunately, I'm not in a financial position to buy a new Toyota Prius or a Honda Insight (both of which do about 60 miles per gallon, around town). And even if I could afford a hybrid gas-electric car, there's a limit to what technology can achieve when it comes to reducing emissions. At some point the driver has to take responsibility. If you really have to drive, then you may as well drive in the most eco-friendly way possible.

Article Length: 1713 words (approx.)