MOTORING MINDFULNESS

I can relate to the Star Letter from Simon Murphy in November MSL. There is so much more we can all do with a little mindfulness as we drive or ride.

If there truly is an immediate climate emergency, why are we not being encouraged to reduce the emissions of existing ICE vehicles by smoother driving, planning ahead, etc.? This could be achieved by publicity, advertising on national TV (remember the old road safety adverts?) and the involvement of driver training organisations. Even a small reduction in emissions would stave off the predicted doomsday longer.

Surely people would engage if they were given practical advice on how they could reduce their contribution to global warming without investing large sums in new vehicles, etc?

Examples are numerous, but could include:

Correct positioning turning right to avoid holding up vehicles behind.

Slowing slightly to allow vehicles to emerge rather than stopping at the last minute to let one vehicle out and holding up a long queue behind which then wastes energy to build speed up.

I am sure we can all think up many more actions that can keep traffic moving at a steady speed and avoid wasted fuel and higher emissions!

This would also bring worthwhile reductions in emissions from existing ICE vehicles until the charging network, range and affordability of EVs reaches the point where they appeal to the average driver and rider.

As a footnote, the newer puffin (pedestrian user-friendly intelligent) crossings are designed to cancel if people have crossed and to not change with vehicles close.

Kevin Moorey