Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is raising awareness of how drivers and their families can save money and be better drivers at the same time. 

The cost of filling up your car with petrol or diesel or charging it has increased significantly in recent years as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.  But there is something you can do to reduce your motoring costs and give yourself more money to spend elsewhere. 

One of the easiest ways to save money is to slow down and not speed because more speed = more spend on fuel.  

This simple change could make a significant difference to your motoring costs.  It also means you need to fill up less often so saves time too.   

Driving at an appropriate speed for the conditions within the speed limit could save you money.  Driving at 70mph will use up to 9% more fuel than at 60mph and up to 15% more fuel than driving at 50mph. Taking it up to 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than at 70mph according to the AA. 

Slowing down also brings benefits to the environment. National Highways research has found that slowing down just 10mph to 60mph from 70mph on our motorways reduces emissions, improves local air quality and has a positive impact on the environment. 

There are also benefits to other road users and for road safety because good drivers drive safely and within the speed limit.  This means they have plenty of time to see and react to what’s going on around them, and they have more time to take evasive action when necessary to avoid a potential collision. 

There are other ways you can save money too.   For example, you may want to consider driving less often and walking or cycling instead.   Swapping the car for walking or cycling even just for one day a week can have a significant impact. 

These tips might also help you save fuel:- 

Tidy your car – The heavier the weight of the car, the more fuel it uses.   

Remove external storage – If you are not using it, remove your roof rack, bike carrier or roof box.  
Maintain your vehicle – Driving with tyres that are low in pressure increases the use of fuel.    
Stick to speed limits – Slow down and save money.  

Limit air conditioning- Air conditioning makes the engine work harder and so it increases fuel consumption 

Plan your journey – A few lost turns will result in extra, unnecessary, mileage and and routes with lots of stopping and starting will use more fuel.

Drive smoothly- Don’t’ stamp on the accelerator or brakes, be gentle with the controls and look well ahead to anticipate what other road users are doing. 

Get a black box – Driving at a sensible speed will reduce your insurance premium if you have a black box policy. 

Insurance If you are looking to save money on your car insurance, you could also look at taking out a pay by mile insurance policy. 

Please follow the campaign on Facebook @WarwickshireRoadSafety and Twitter @WarksRoadSafety using the hashtag #SlowDownSaveMoney