Driving Efficiently: Safer, Cleaner Habits for Ontario Drivers

How vehicles affect the environment

Gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles release air pollutants and gases, including oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur, hydrocarbons and soot. These pollutants can affect the air we breathe, human health, crop yields and the global climate.

Hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen react in sunlight to create ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog. Smog is a significant health hazard associated with respiratory problems and other illnesses. Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen can also combine with water vapour to form acid rain, which can damage lakes, forests and crops.

Global warming occurs when carbon dioxide and other gases trap heat in the atmosphere. Potential effects include rising average temperatures, droughts, crop failures, lower water levels and more frequent or severe storms.

A passenger vehicle generally produces less carbon dioxide than larger vehicles such as airplanes, trucks, buses or trains. However, because cars are widely owned and frequently driven, they account for nearly half of the carbon dioxide produced by all forms of transportation. Vehicles carrying many passengers, including buses, can produce less carbon dioxide per passenger than cars.

Before you drive: plan a more efficient trip

• Plan ahead. Combine several errands into one trip whenever possible.
• Avoid rush hour. Travelling during off-peak times can take less time, use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.
• Pay attention to smog alerts. These habits are especially important when smog levels are high.
• Walk or cycle for short trips when it is safe and practical to do so.
• Consider public transit for longer trips. It can be an environmentally friendly alternative to driving alone.
• Carpool when possible. Free carpool lots are available in many parts of the province for people meeting at a central location.

While driving: save fuel without compromising safety

Efficient driving should always support safe driving. Fuel savings are never a reason to speed, follow too closely or make an unsafe manoeuvre.

• Avoid unnecessary starts. A cold engine releases a large burst of pollutants when it is started.
• Turn the vehicle off when parked for more than 10 seconds. Even in cold weather, an engine warms up within about 30 seconds.
• Obey the speed limit. Higher speeds use more fuel and increase the chance of a serious collision.
• Use overdrive and cruise control on the freeway when conditions are appropriate and you can remain fully attentive to traffic.
• Remove unnecessary weight. Heavy baggage, wet snow, winter sand and salt can make your vehicle use more fuel.
• Maintain your vehicle’s aerodynamics. Remove roof racks and compartments when they are not needed. At higher speeds, using the vents instead of opening the windows can reduce aerodynamic drag.
• Use air conditioning wisely. In city traffic and stop-and-go conditions, windows and vents may be practical. At higher speeds, air conditioning is usually more fuel-efficient than opening the windows and reducing the vehicle’s aerodynamics.
• Do not top off the fuel tank. Spilled fuel releases harmful vapours.

Vehicle maintenance matters

Regular maintenance helps a vehicle operate efficiently. It can reduce the amount of fuel you need to buy and the pollutants your vehicle emits.

• Keep the engine properly tuned. Worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid or a transmission that does not shift into high gear can substantially increase fuel consumption.
• Follow the maintenance schedule in the vehicle owner’s manual.
• Have fluid leaks checked by a specialist to help prevent engine damage and harm to the environment.
• Keep the tires properly inflated to reduce fuel costs, emissions and tire wear.
• Have the wheel alignment checked regularly to help prevent uneven tire wear and unnecessary fuel consumption.

For additional information about driving efficiently, consult the vehicle-maintenance guidance in your owner’s manual and other reliable transportation resources.

Adapt your driving to the conditions

Many collisions happen when the driving environment is less than ideal. At night, during periods of reduced visibility or when roads are wet and slippery, adjust your speed and driving technique to the conditions. Safe drivers remain alert, increase their following distance and leave themselves more time to react.

10 habits for safer Ontario roads

1. Never drink and drive. Do not drive while taking medication that can affect your ability to drive safely.
2. Wear your seatbelt. Make sure passengers use the appropriate child car seat, booster seat or seatbelt.
3. Obey posted speed limits. Slow down when road or weather conditions are poor.
4. Do not take unnecessary risks. Avoid cutting other drivers off, making sudden lane changes or running yellow lights.
5. Do not drive when you are tired, upset or sick. Your physical and emotional condition can affect your decisions and reactions.
6. Yield when you are unsure. If you are in doubt, let the other driver go first and yield the right-of-way.
7. Keep at least a two-second following distance. Start counting when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object and stop when your vehicle reaches the same point. Increase the gap in poor conditions.
8. Reduce distractions. Do not overcrowd the vehicle or play music so loudly that it prevents you from hearing important sounds.
9. Check your blind spot. Use your mirrors and look over your shoulder before changing lanes.
10. Scan in every direction before entering an intersection. Check for vehicles, pedestrians and users of sidewalks, paths and trails.

Key takeaways

After reviewing these habits, you should understand:

• How passenger vehicles affect the environment
• Ways to reduce the amount you drive
• How to conserve fuel and reduce emissions while driving
• Why vehicle maintenance, road awareness and defensive driving matter

Building safe, efficient habits takes practice. WDS Driving School helps young and first-time drivers in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Scarborough and Newmarket develop confidence through professional driving education and prepare for Ontario road tests. Contact WDS or book your driving lessons to keep building the skills you need for safer roads.