With Earth Day coming up April 22nd, Young Drivers of Canada hopes that drivers will think how their actions behind the wheel can help leave less of an imprint on our planet.

Peter Christianson, President of Young Drivers of Canada says "Fuel consumption is affected by two main factors: driving style and vehicle maintenance. Initiatives like Earth Day are a great way to remind drivers that even regular vehicle maintenance will keep fuel consumption down. For example, check your tire pressure at least once a month, remove roof racks and any unnecessary weight in the vehicle. Each of these will reduce your fuel consumption. If everyone does their part, it can make a difference."

In addition to vehicle maintenance, Young Drivers of Canada offers the following tips to help drivers recognize they should not only drive defensively but drive in a manner that can help the environment.

Your Driving Style Can Make a Difference

• Plan your trips to consolidate several into one and travel in a logical order.
  
• Look well ahead and anticipate changes in the traffic flow. Slowing early saves fuel and may avoid stopping which wastes fuel when starting up again.
  
• When approaching a light that is red or about to change to red, slow down early to save fuel for you and all the vehicles following. The cumulative saving is huge.
  
• As much as it's safe, go with the flow of traffic.
  
• Avoid heavy acceleration and heavy braking.
  
• Driving down hill lift off the gas and let gravity save you money as long as you re maintaining the traffic flow.
  
• Use the lane of least resistance, which is the lane that has the best flow, the best view and the least risk. You will avoid stopping or unnecessary slowing.
  
• If possible avoid rush hour or even better car pool with others.
  
• Whenever convenient take the bus or train and read that book you don't have time to finish.
  
• When parking pull in and through parking spots. Starting up forward uses less fuel than backing out and then starting up.
  
• Avoid congested areas where fuel is wasted in stop and go traffic or just by idling.
  
• If you are idling, turn off the engine if you have to wait for more than ten seconds, unless you are at risk of collision, such as traffic approaching from behind.
  

As drivers, we need to realize we share the road and responsibility for all of our actions behind the wheel. For more safety tips visit the Young Drivers of Canada website at www.yd.com. Follow us on Twitter@YoungDrivers.

Young Drivers of Canada

Young Drivers of Canada is Canada's largest driver training organization.

Established in 1970, YD has grown to over 140 classrooms nationally and has taught over one million novice drivers. YD is committed to teaching the skills needed to keep drivers safe on the road through its proprietary Collisionfree!T Approach. There is a free online Co-Driver program available for parents with children enrolled with YD which shows what to practice and how to stay safe while practicing with their new drivers.

YD also offers driver improvement programs for experienced drivers, driver retesting preparation as well as the Collisionfree!T brand of programs specifically designed for professional fleet drivers. Exclusive to YD in Canada are the CogniFit products which help to improve driving related cognitive skills through online assessment and personalized training.