EcoSafe Driving: How Can Drivers Help the Environment?

There are a few questions in the driving theory test that relate to greener driving. In this post, we’ll discuss those questions, before exploring some driving styles that harm the environment, and how drivers can help the environment.

Driving Theory Test Questions About the Environment

As you’ll see, though there are a few different questions in the theory test about the environment, they’re largely variations on a theme.

What Does Ecosafe Driving Achieve?

a) Increased exhaust emissions

b) Increased fuel consumption

c) Improved road safety

d) Damage to the environment

Answer: C. Eco-safe driving is a style of driving that will help to reduce damage to our planet and the air we breathe whilst improving road safety.

How Can Drivers Help the Environment?

a) By accelerating harshly.

b) Using leaded fuel.

c) Driving faster.

d) Accelerating gently.

Answer: D. If you accelerate gently, your car will use less fuel, which means you’ll create less emissions.

How Can Driving in a Fuel-Efficient Manner Help Protect the Environment?

a) Through increased fuel bills.

b) By increasing the number of cars on the road.

c) Through the legal enforcement of speed regulations.

d) By reducing exhaust emissions.

Answer: D. With reduced exhaust emissions, there’ll be less carbon in the air, as well as a reduction in fuel particulates and other pollutants.

How Can You Reduce the Damage Your Vehicle Causes to the Environment?

a) Anticipate well ahead.

b) Brake heavily.

c) Use busy routes.

d) Use narrow side streets.

Answer: A. If you anticipate well ahead, you’ll be less likely to have to brake harshly, as you’ll see any potential hazards long before they pose a problem. Instead, you can accelerate and brake as gently as possible, which can help reduce your emissions.

How Can you Reduce the Environmental Harm Caused by your Motor Vehicle?

a) Drive faster than normal.

b) Only use it for short journeys.

c) Keep engine revs low.

d) Don’t service it.

Answer: C. The lower you keep your engine revs, the less fuel you’ll burn. Again, this means lower emissions.

What Can You Do to Reduce Environmental Damage Caused by your Vehicle?

a) Use the gears to slow the vehicle.

b) Avoid using cruise control.

c) Use the air conditioning whenever you drive.

d) Avoid making a lot of short journeys.

Answer: D. Cars tend to burn the most fuel when they’re just starting up, and when they’re idling in traffic. To reduce your environmental impact, you should save your car for longer and strictly necessary journeys. If it’s a short journey, consider walking, cycling or taking public transport instead.

What Makes the Vehicle in the Picture “Environmentally Friendly”?

This question is accompanied by an image of a tram. What makes it environmentally friendly? It’s because it’s powered by:

a) Electricity.

b) Unleaded petrol.

c) Gravity.

d) Diesel.

Answer: D. Electric vehicles do not produce harmful emissions.

Though incidentally, another reason why trams are environmentally friendly is because they can carry lots of passengers at once. Every passenger that uses a tram potentially means one fewer car on the road. This is particularly vital in urban environments, where lots of cars inevitably cause traffic jams, which can significantly raise the pollution levels.

Driving Styles That Harm the Environment

There are the driving styles that harm the environment:

Angry or impatient driving. Harsh acceleration and harsh braking, with lots of stops and starts, will burn more fuel. It will also make your journey more stressful, and potentially more dangerous.
Lots of short journeys. As we saw above, using your car for multiple short journeys will burn more fuel than saving your car for strictly necessary journeys.
Heavy loads. The heavier your car, the more fuel it will burn. Also, if you use a roof rack, you’ll create more wind resistance. Which again, means more fuel.

How Can Drivers Help the Environment?

There are the driving styles that can help the environment:

Drive smoothly. Accelerate gently and anticipate the road ahead so you’ll be able to brake in plenty of time.
Keep things light. Don’t overfill your boot and remove your roof rack when you’re not using it.
Service your car. Keep everything in good working order, from the engine to the tyres, and you’ll ensure your car’s as fuel efficient as possible. Head here to read our guide to car servicing.
Reduce the number of journeys you make. As we saw above, making lots of short journeys can be bad for the environment. Walk, cycle, or use public transport when you can. Also look for ways you can share journeys with others, to help cut down on the number of cars on the road.

The car you choose will also have a huge impact on the environment. Fuel efficient cars also happen to be cheaper to run, and often cheaper to tax. Head here to read our guide to the best tax free cars – which also happen to be the most fuel-efficient cars!

Ready For Your Theory Test?

At Go Girl, we specialise in affordable car insurance for learners. We’ll give you comprehensive cover while you practice outside of your lessons. And once you pass your test, you can switch to a new driver insurance policy. Then you can start building up your no claims discount immediately, and eventually you can make huge savings on the cost of your cover.

Get in touch for a free quote online.