How to reduce your time spent driving

● Combine shopping with as many other errands as possible. Even in a small, modern, fuel-efficient car, a 6-km round-trip can use half a litre of fuel – that’s close to 80 litres per year if you make the trip three times a week.

● Avoid peak-hour traffic whenever possible. In terms of fuel use, peak hour is the most expensive time to drive. If you’re driving in start–stop driving conditions in heavy traffic, your car will typically use 20–30 per cent more fuel than if you’re driving on free-flowing highways.

● Use Park ’n’ Ride.With this scheme, commuters park their cars in a designated and secure place on the city outskirts and transfer to public transport (usually a train) to complete their journeys. Find out if the Park ’n’ Ride scheme is available in your city.

 

● Car pool. Share the drive and split the fuel costs. Check with friends or neighbours who travel to similar destinations at similar times. If there are three or more passengers, you may be able to use a transit lane, which will make your journey much faster.