4 Tips For More Sustainable Traffic

Understand How Small Attitudes and Changes in Habits Can Contribute Significantly to an Eco-Friendly Traffic

It is no secret that the concern for a more sustainable traffic and the environment, especially regarding the emission of polluting gases, has become one of the major issues of sustainability. According to studies by the Atmospheric Pollution Laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine of USP, pollution generated by vehicles contributes to the death of 20 people per day in cities like São Paulo.

Based on this data, we have brought some tips on how to contribute to more sustainable traffic. Here’s the list:

Think of More Sustainable Alternatives

One of the first possibilities to make traffic more sustainable is to seek ways to cause less environmental impact and emission of polluting gases.

For example, if you own a motor vehicle but are considering replacing it, you can contribute to the environment by opting for an electric or hybrid car, for instance.

Here in Brazil, the search for electric and hybrid vehicles grows every year, and in 2021, around 7,290 units of these vehicles were sold, which represents a 29.4% increase in sales compared to the previous year.

Thus, it is possible to see that the demand for electric and hybrid cars has increased due to the possibility of being an alternative to collaborate with the environment through clean and sustainable technologies.

Although electric cars are more expensive, considering a consultation in the FIPE table, the fuel cost is much lower than that of a traditional car, especially if the car has a turbo engine.

Check Your Daily Routes

Another option to contribute to the environment and make traffic more sustainable is to check your daily routes and how you can make them less polluting.

In these cases, there are some possibilities, such as the issue of air conditioning in your car, in addition to doing some routes closer on foot or by bicycle, which, besides being a means to move more quickly, does not pollute the environment.

In fact, reducing the use of air conditioning in traffic also impacts the economy and consumption of your vehicle, as a car with the air conditioning on tends to consume a bit more than a car with the windows down.

Another idea regarding routes is to check the possibility of choosing some days to walk to work or even go to the supermarket and gym on foot, thus reducing the emission of polluting gases into the environment.

However, if there are no alternatives and you really need to drive to places, why not see if you can get a ride, sharing the route with someone who also does?

Accelerate Less

Another option to contribute to the environment and make traffic more sustainable is not to accelerate too much, and this applies both to the journey itself and to the stops we make at traffic lights and intersections.

Thus, the best way to do this is to accelerate gradually when starting, and to reduce the gears when stopping, as this way the emitted gases are much lower than when the acceleration is more intense.

In addition to contributing to the environment, you will notice a significant difference in vehicle maintenance, especially in the wear of transmission parts and brake pads.

Keep Your Vehicle Maintenance Up to Date

Speaking of maintenance, our last tip is directly related to the importance of maintenance for the environment and for consumption.

Did you know that tires without the correct pressure can require much more from your car to run satisfactorily?

This is because improperly inflated tires become heavier, which makes the car also heavier, requiring a bit more from the engine.

Therefore, it’s ideal that you always maintain the tire pressure, as well as the periodic maintenance of your vehicle, including air filters, electrical components, spark plugs, fuel injectors, among others.

Thus, we must emphasize that contributing to the environment can come from small attitudes and changes in habits, and that any action already has a positive impact.