“Green Drivers” Help improve Air (NAPS}--Motorists can become “green drivers” by regularly carrying out simple car care and maintenance procedures that also can help our nation continue to improve air quality, a non-profit transportation research group reports. The Road Information Program (TRIP) provides “green driving” tips on its Web site, showing that motorists can do their part for the environment and conserve fuel by following routine car care raaintenance procedures such as keeping engines well-tuned, having exhaust systems inspected regu- larly, keeping tires properly inflated and not “topping ofP when pumping fuel. “Motorists can help the epvironment by taking proper care of their cars in ways that will improve air quality,” said William M. Wilkins, TRIP’s executive director. “Equipment maintenance and imspection are iraportant because most air quality imprevements over the past 20 years have come about because of improved automotive technology,” Wilkins said. “If motorists avoid topping off when theyful their gasoline tanks it will keep wasteful gasoline fumes from being released into the atmosphere.” Wilkins said major strides have taken place to improve air quality through automotive and technological innovations such as the tatalytic converter and emissions control devices, which most newer cars have. Regular tailpipe inspections also ensure that emissions equipment is working properly to reduce vehicle emissions. Tn fact, the US. Environmental Protection Agency CEPA) has reported that emissions from automobiles have declined significantly it’s easy being green, when you take a few simple steps toward better car maintenance. since 1980. EPA data shows that, from 1986 to 1998, overall highway vehicle emissions of volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide were reduced by 41 percent, 10 percent and 35 percent respectively. “These air quality improvements have taken place at the garae time that highway travel increased by 72 percent,” Wilkins said. Moreover, the EPAhas pro- jected that emissions of volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide will continueto decrease through 2016. TRIP is issuing its updated “green driving” tips as part of its public awareness campaign to educate motorists about steps they can take to help improve the environment. These inchide: * Avoid excess idjing in nontraffic situations; * Accelerate smoothly and maintain steady speeds; * Do net pump the accelerator if the car has fuel injection; and * Plan and consolidate your trips to bypass congested routes. TRIP’s “green driving” tips are available by chcking on the Web site at www.tripnet.org.
