How Can I Drive More Efficiently?

With growing concerns about the environmental impact of driving, combined with the increasing cost of fuel, more and more people are looking for ways to become more efficient drivers.

So, how efficient a driver are you? Research suggests that British motorists could save up to a total of £700 million a year on their fuel bills by looking at the efficiency of their driving.

While there are efficient and in-efficient drivers in all age brackets, younger drivers tend to be more aware of the impact of their driving on the environment, and are more likely to drive in a style which reflects this. This may be as a result of modern driving lessons placing more emphasis on efficient driving. Drivers who are over 65, on the other hand, tend not to use efficient driving techniques at all.

Londoners are the most efficient drivers of all, as they generally won’t consider driving at all unless the journey exceeds two hours.

The majority of drivers’ main focus is on the journey and how they will get there, rather than worrying about the efficiency of their driving. The results are shocking – hundreds of litres of fuel are wasted per person due to inefficient driving.

Here are some tips to help you drive more efficiently:

• Ensure that you are driving in the correct gear for the speed you are travelling at
• At traffic lights, engage your handbrake, rather than balancing on the clutch and accelerator
• Keep your tyres inflated to the optimal level
• Avoid opening windows and the sunroof where possible
• Choose the quickest route

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