Eco driving tips to help save the planet and the pennies (From This Is Local London)

Eco driving tips to help save the planet and the pennies

7:50am Saturday 21st February 2009 in

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After 30 minutes behind the wheel with a green driving instructor, I have picked up enough tips to help me save more than £200 a year on fuel.

The free eco-driving lessons are being offered by Dagenham Motors in Thames Ditton, who have teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust to offer motorists advice on saving the planet as well as the pennies.

We set out on a three mile course near the dealership and on my first lap, instructor Tim Hicks lets me take to the wheel in my usual driving style.

I notch up a respectable 48.9 miles per gallon (mpg) but Tim tells me there is plenty of room for improvement.

On the second lap he takes charge and shows me how to adapt my driving style.

I learn key points such as moving off smoothly and learning to use the momentum of the car rather than accelerating or braking harshly.

He also tells me to anticipate other drivers’ movements by keeping my distance, brake well in advance of roundabouts and junctions to avoid coming to a clattering halt and staying within the speed limits.

“It is just about changing your mindset - once you learn the techniques, smarter driving habits will come naturally,” he said.

“You have to be confident on the road and not be pressured by other drivers to act in a certain way.

“Everyone can do it.”

Armed with advice, I set off on my second lap and manage to increase my mpg significantly to 58.8mpg, which, Tim tells me, will save me nearly £220 a year on fuel and cut harmful carbon dioxide emissions.

Manager of Dagenham Motors, Tom Probyn, said: “Ford are committed to raising awareness of environmental issues and have been offering the lessons to show motorists that driving in an eco-friendly way is simple.

“There are no expensive gadgets and you can make real savings as well as cut down on emissions by using the common sense tips shown by the instructors.”

To find out about eco-driving lessons, call 020 8339 3500.

For more eco-driving tips, visit energysavingtrust.org.uk/travel

• For more environmental news, log on to greenguardian.co.uk