Should We Aim for Less Cars on the Road?

With less pollution and less noise, shouldn't we all aim for less cars on the road? There are so many other alternatives to travelling by car, for example, you could swap travelling by car and use public transport in a bid to help to reduce the number of cars on the road.

We’re all aware that car exhausts emit a wide range of gases and solid matter, which causes global warming, acid rain and is very harmful to the environment and human health. It’s no wonder that some cities around the world are coming to the conclusion that they’d be better off with far fewer cars.

Car exhausts release carbon monoxide and other greenhouse gases, which contribute significantly to global warming. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which causes worldwide temperatures to rise, and unless action is taken to reduce these emissions, the whole pattern of the world’s weather could change, increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, floods, droughts, and storms. Burning excessive amounts of fossil fuels, such as gas and diesel, has caused an increase in global temperatures since pre-industrial times and this will continue to rise over the coming decades, affecting farming, wildlife, and sea levels as well as the natural landscape.

Not only do emissions contribute to global warming, they also affect the air, soil, and water quality. The emissions released often create smog, a condition in which pollution is trapped in an urban area and can contribute to significant health problems. Acid rain is created as a result of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide having mixed together with rainwater, which damages crops, forests, and other vegetation and buildings. Furthermore, when a vehicle has an oil or fuel spillage, this seeps into the soil nearby and any discarded fuel and particulates from vehicle emissions can contaminate lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

On top of this, car pollutants, such as particulate matter, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide are harmful to human health. Diesel engines emit high levels of particulate matter, which are airborne particles of soot and metal. This can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as allergies, and can also affect the lungs as very fine particles can lodge deep in the lungs where they can cause respiratory problems. Carbon monoxide is also particularly dangerous to infants and those suffering from heart disease as it interferes with the blood’s ability to transport oxygen.

So, now that we know the effects that car pollutants have on the environment, the question is, what can we do to help reduce this pollution? There are several ways that we can help to reduce the effects of pollutants on the environment. For example, if you’re living in an urban area, its often easier to take the train or a bus than it is to drive, which is a more environmentally friendly alternative to driving a car, and riding a bike or walking is obviously even better as this will reduce traffic congestions and decrease the need for more parking.

If you’re thinking of buying a new car, perhaps consider an electric, hybrid, and other clean, fuel-efficient cars as these have a reduced impact. Check the fuel economy and environment label as high ratings mean low pollution levels. You could also maximize fuel potential by removing any unnecessary items such as roof racks and driving steadily, as opposed to accelerating quickly and braking hard. But of course, the most obvious answer as to how we could help to reduce car pollutants would be to walk, bike or use public transport wherever possible and if you are thinking of selling your car for whatever reason, check out our car selling guidance section to help get you started.

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