Owning and driving a car is something that many of us find a necessity, but there are ways to make your car journeys greener with much less of an impact on the environment.
- Get rid of the rubbish in your car boot. Less weight equals less fuel used.
- Unless absolutely necessary; don’t drive with a roof rack or bike rack etc. They add extra weight and create wind resistance, increasing fuel consumption.
- Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated – you’ll use less fuel if they are because under-inflated tyres create more resistance and increase your fuel consumption by up to 3%.
- Find out if you could work from home on one or two days a week and thus save long commutes to work.
- Avoid accelerating or braking hard – both involve using more energy, and of course using less energy means using less fuel.
- Plan your routes in advance to ensure you take the shortest route.
- Slow down. Driving above 60 miles per hour decreases your car’s fuel efficiency.
- Consider using alternative fuels.
- Consider driving a smaller more fuel-efficient car.
- See if a neighbour or work colleague can share car journeys with you.
- Reduce the number of car journeys you make by taking the bus or travelling by train when you can.
- Avoid leaving your engine running.
- And avoid using the air conditioning unless you feel you really need it.
Dorset has three mainline train services and a heritage line serving over 20 stations across the county. Swanage Railway offers a busy timetable of heritage steam and diesel train services, and visitors can experience a unique journey on a steam train through six miles of beautiful scenery passing the magnificent ruins of Corfe Castle.
The South West Coast Path, with its spectacular sea views, runs almost right by our door, as does a regular local bus service that will take you to Lyme Regis, Bridport, Weymouth and further afield.
See our post with suggestions for walking in Dorset
If you’re considering visiting Dorset this autumn, please contact us to book sustainable accommodation in Dorset. We know the local area well, and we are always happy to help you plan excursions and activities.
