Tips for eco-friendly driving

With climate change a growing concern for many of us, a lot of people are putting thoughts of finding cheap car insurance on one side and instead looking for ways to cut down on their emissions and live a "greener" lifestyle. There is much we can do in this respect, such as installing better insulation in our homes, taking the train instead of the plane when going on holiday, and buying locally grown food.

After flying, driving is responsible for much of the carbon that is emitted through our actions, so it is important that we start taking steps to minimise how much is released by our cars. However, many of these things can only be achieved by spending a little bit more money. While a lot of us would be willing to do this, it isn't always possible when it comes to finances.

The perfect answer would be to find eco-friendly solutions that actually save you money too. This is why we have come up with some driving suggestions which have the dual benefits of reducing carbon emissions and improving your chance of finding some really cheap car insurance deals.

Changing your driving habits
The first thing that you can do is to keep within the speed limits. This is something everyone should already be doing and the number of those who drive too fast is falling, but millions of UK motorists still exceed the speed limit on a regular basis - especially on motorways. Other than the fact it is the law, there are a number of other reasons that you should take your foot off the accelerator and slow down a bit.

Doing 80mph instead of 70mph on a motorway or dual carriageway is something that many people do. However, some probably wouldn't be so quick to do so if they knew they were upping their fuel bills - and consequently their emissions - by 10-15%. Although probably more practical for A-roads than motorways, if you are looking for ultimate fuel efficiency it is worth bearing mind that between 50 and 60mph is the best speed to travel.

If you do keep within the speed limits, you also reduce your chance of being in an accident and avoid the risk of a speeding ticket. Both these factors will make you popular with insurance companies, who will reward your safe driving with cheap car insurance quotes.

There is a lot of stop-starting on the roads due to congestion and it can quickly lead to frustration behind the wheel. Some drivers express their frustration by accelerating fast and braking harshly, whilst others have just got into the habit of driving in this manner, perhaps believing that it will get them to their destination quicker.

Unfortunately, all this tends to do is produce more time at a standstill, causing more frustration and waiting around. You actually burn a lot more fuel driving in this manner - up to 40% more than driving smoothly in some cases. You can really save a lot of money on your fuel bills and reduce your car's emissions by accelerating and braking a little more moderately.

You will also lessen the likelihood of crashing into the back of someone if you brake in good time instead of at the last second - something which will help you to protect you no claims bonus and keep you in your cheap car insurance company's good books.

Finally, the 100% effective way to reduce your car's emissions is by leaving it at home whenever possible. Going down the local shop for a pint of milk? Try walking or cycling instead. Going to work? Investigate the possibilities the trains and buses present. There are lots of alternatives and, with a bit of planning, you may well find that they make better sense both financially and environmentally.

Car sharing schemes such as http://www.liftshare.co.uk and those organised by local councils also offer a good solution for those wishing to cut down on their carbon output. These schemes match up people who all drive the same way to work so that they can share one car instead of each going separately.

Whether you choose to join a car sharing scheme or simply ditch the car in favour of your bike from time to time, the fact that you are driving fewer miles means that you are tackling your carbon emissions. A lower annual mileage will also significantly impact your motor insurance, and you should be able to enjoy some cheap car insurance rates.

Getting an amazingly cheap car insurance quote with duck2water
Although we offer great advice on staying eco-friendly in your car, this isn't what the team at duck2water do best.

Our speciality is offering amazingly cheap car insurance to UK drivers so you can be sure of getting a really great deal on your cover. Many of our customers tell us that they have cut tens or even hundreds of pounds off their policy after getting a cheap car insurance quote with us.

We make it ridiculously easy to get an online quotation. There is no fiddling about, no waiting for ages for pages to refresh, just a few quick, easy questions about you and your car. Once we have that information, we will compare cheap car insurance policies from more than 30 companies in a matter of seconds and present you with the very best deal.

It is as quick and easy as it sounds - just give it a try. Get a cheap car insurance quote now.

 

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