Council drive to save money and cut emissions

Rochdale Borough Council executive director John Patterson gets passed the keys to efficient driving by a DriveSense instructor

In a bid to save money and reduce carbon emissions Rochdale Borough Council has trained staff to potentially cut CO2 emissions by around 9,000 tonnes per year through completing a course in smarter driving.

The council teamed up with the Energy Saving Trust (EST) to teach over 300 members of staff the techniques to drive more efficiently and economically, reducing their fuel consumption and cutting CO2 emissions.

Once put through their smarter driving paces, drivers are able to reduce their fuel consumption by around 15%. For a typical car in the UK, this equates to annual savings of around £250 and more than half a tonne of CO2.

The one-to-one tuition involves each driver completing a given circuit twice – once before training and once after. Miles per gallon is measured for both circuit completions so drivers can see for themselves just how much fuel they can save.

Remarking on the course, one member of staff said: “I turned up expecting very little, but soon realised I was driving how I had been taught 35 years ago when cars were very different. I have put what I learnt into practice and can confirm my MPG has improved steadily since.”

Councillor Irene Davidson, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, remarked: “We’re committed to driving down our carbon emissions by 34 per cent by 2014. Now our fleet drivers and members of staff who drive frequently have completed this course, the authority has the potential to lower carbon emissions by at least 9,000 tonnes per year – just by teaching drivers more economical ways of driving.”

The smarter driving sessions were commissioned by the council as part of three-year collaboration with the EST to reduce energy costs and CO2 emissions now and in the future. The smarter driving sessions are run by DriveSense – a specialist driver training firm who is working with the EST and organisations across the UK enhance fuel economy and reduce emissions.

For more tips on how to save on your energy and fuel bills and lower your carbon emissions go to www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or call 0800 512 012.