Safe Driving is Sustainable Driving

Driving is one of the most dangerous activities we do daily, yet it’s also one of the most necessary. At the same time, our reliance on petrol and diesel-powered vehicles is a major contributor to climate change. But what if we told you that safe driving and sustainable driving go hand in hand?

That’s right – by driving safer, you’re also driving greener. Research shows that avoiding risky driving behaviours like hard braking, aggressive acceleration, and excessive speeding can cut fuel consumption, lower emissions, and save you money.

So, if you’re looking for ways to be a better driver, save on fuel, and do your part for the planet, keep reading. This deep dive into telematics, fuel efficiency, and eco-driving will show you how changing your driving habits can make a real difference – both for your wallet and for the environment.

Before we jump into the data, let’s define what we mean by safe driving and sustainable driving.

• Safe driving refers to avoiding dangerous behaviours like speeding, hard braking, sudden acceleration, and distractions (such as using your phone while driving!).
• Sustainable driving (or eco-driving) is all about reducing fuel consumption and emissions by making smarter driving choices, such as maintaining steady speeds, avoiding idling, and accelerating smoothly.

The Connection Between Safety and Sustainability

At first glance, you might think that safe driving and sustainable driving are two separate concepts. But in reality, the same behaviours that make you a safer driver also make you a more efficient one.

For example:

• Hard braking wastes fuel: Slamming on the brakes frequently means you’re accelerating too much, burning more fuel than necessary.
• Speeding increases fuel consumption: Vehicles are most efficient at moderate speeds, usually between 40-60 mph for petrol and diesel cars.
• Smooth acceleration saves fuel: Sudden acceleration burns more fuel, while gradual acceleration is more efficient and safer.

Now, thanks to telematics technology, we can measure exactly how much fuel (and CO2 emissions) safe driving habits can save.

Telematics is the science of using sensors and GPS tracking to monitor driving behaviour. Many insurance companies now offer policies where your premium is based on how safely you drive. But this same telematics data can also predict fuel consumption and emissions.

The Study: How Safer Drivers Are Greener Drivers

The researchers examined 1.5 million driving trips to see how different driving habits affected fuel efficiency and emissions. Here’s what they found:

• Drivers who improved their safety score (by braking less, accelerating smoothly, and reducing distractions) reduced their fuel consumption by up to 6% per year.
• Hard braking was the biggest factor in wasted fuel. The more frequently a driver hit the brakes hard, the more fuel they burned.
• Speeding led to massive inefficiencies. While driving too slow (below 12 mph) was inefficient, driving too fast (above 75 mph) also burned excessive fuel.
• Telematics-based insurance incentives work! Drivers who were encouraged to improve their safety score saw an average of 36.6 gallons (US) of fuel savings per year, equating to hundreds of kilograms of CO2 emissions saved.

Translation? If you drive more smoothly, brake less aggressively, and stop speeding, you’ll not only reduce your risk of a crash but also cut your fuel bill and carbon footprint.

So, how can you take advantage of this research and become a safer, more fuel-efficient driver? Here are three easy ways:

1. Try a Telematics Insurance Policy

If you’re confident in your safe driving skills, a usage-based insurance (UBI) policy can reward you with lower premiums. Plus, you’ll get valuable feedback on how to improve.

2. Use an Eco-Driving App

Apps like Zixty can track your fuel efficiency and give you tips on where to improve. If you have a Zixty policy, just remember to switch on the free Zixty Miles feature in your app before setting off.  

We score you based on data your phone sends us from the app – your speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering. Drive well and you’ll achieve a higher score. The higher your score, the lower your emissions. 

If you do have Zixty Miles activated, we’ll plant trees to carbon offset up to 100 miles of your journey each day. Find out more about our partnership with Eden Reforestation by reading this article all about Eden. Or visit Eden’s own website.

3. Drive Mindfully

• Plan your trips to avoid heavy traffic.
• Use cruise control on motorways.
• Accelerate smoothly and anticipate stops.

Driving safely isn’t just about avoiding crashes – it’s also about reducing emissions, saving money on fuel, and making roads better for everyone.

By simply braking less, accelerating smoothly, and sticking to speed limits, you reduce fuel consumption, potentially lower your insurance premiums, and cut CO2 emissions.

So, next time you’re behind the wheel, remember: safe driving isn’t just for your benefit – it’s for the planet too.

 

Want to get started?

If you’re 19+ and you’ve had your full UK licence for more than 3 months, visit our quote page, or download our app (Apple AppStore and Google Play). Enter a few details, and voila, after we’ve done a few checks you should be ready to get going.