The I-95 Corridor Coalition is promoting ECO-DRIVING – economically and environmentally beneficial tips that will save both gas and money while helping to protect the environment. That's a win-win-win situation!
In the 2011-world, everyone's in a big hurry. The more hurried we go, the more gas we burn; the more emissions our cars emit; and the more money we spend to refill the gas tank. Perhaps it is time to take a serious look at how we drive!
Actually this lesson was promoted during the gas-crunch in the late 1970s. IF we drive just 55 mph, we save gas and money! That lesson is still true today.
The I-95 Coalition Tip List states:
“Slow down and save up to $14 by driving 60 MPH instead of 70 MPH.”
Studies show that for every 5 MPH we drive over the 60 mph speed, we increase the cost of our fuel by an additional 24 cents per gallon. (This would easily drive the cost up over $4.00/gal at today's rates!). Yes, if we use less gas, we emit a smaller carbon footprint of toxic emissions from our vehicles. And if we use less gas, we spend less money!
“Avoid aggressive driving and save $1.25 per gallon”
Again, this is nothing new. We've heard it for years speeding and quick acceleration of a vehicle from a dead-stop, such as traffic lights, causes vehicles to consume more fuel. The roadways are not speedways. There is no real reason to stomp on the gas pedal when a traffic signal turns green. Experts estimate we can save up to 7% of the fuel we consume by maintaining a constant speed... if that speed is 30 mph, fine... if it is 60 mph, fine!
It will be interesting to see the results of the recent air-quality testing done by NASA over the I-95 corridor. NASA conducted a series of low-altitude flying over sections of the I-95 roadways to evaluate the vehicle emissions as well as industrial pollution that is damaging the air quality in Maryland. These testing flights were conducted in early July 2011.
The Dundalk-Essex-Middle River areas were targeted by these low-altitude flights. Did our local neighborhoods pass the test? How much pollution is emitted into the air around east Baltimore? The I-95 interstate travels from Anne Arundel County into Baltimore County, where it travels through Dundalk, Essex, Middle River and White Marsh before entering Harford County.
How high will the pollution ratings be?
How much difference can our driving habits make?
Can we lower the pollution rate by simply reducing our speed and changing our aggressive driving habits?
Perhaps an all out campaign on this issue could help to make a difference in the air we breathe!
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