Motorists following green guidelines could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by eight per cent this Christmas, the Government claimed yesterday.
The CO2 reduction could be as high as 182,000 tonnes, while drivers would save a total of nearly £68 million, the Department for Transport said.
The estimated reduction figures cover the Christmas and New Year holiday period and would involve drivers either choosing greener vehicles or reducing fuel consumption.
Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "With many of us travelling to visit family and friends we'll be clocking up extra miles and increasing our carbon emissions.
"If you do have to travel by car, why not try out the smarter driving tips, help tackle climate change and save yourself money at the same time?"
The advice comes ahead of a follow-up burst of advertising for the Department's Act On CO2 campaign. From New Year's Eve adverts urging motorists to drive smarter will hit TV screens and national newspapers.
Adverts will also be run in consumer motoring magazines and lifestyle and motoring websites.
The advertising will give motorists simple smarter-driving tips.
Motorists were today warned by the RAC Foundation to avoid the "seven deadly sins" of driving.
The sins the foundation has identified include eating at the wheel, becoming a traffic-light hopping "amber gambler", drinking and driving, speeding, road rage, gadget mania and slothful attitudes to basic car maintenance
"Christmas and the New Year offer the perfect opportunity for drivers to confess past failings and resolve to do better," said the foundation's acting director, Sheila Rainger.
Festive activity leaves road users jostling for space on crowded roads, bringing out the green-eyed monster in those desperate to get through the traffic lights or get the last space in the car park. One for the road offenders' pride in drinking prowess and "life and soul of the party" status makes for a deadly concoction behind the wheel.
Ms Rainger said: "A positive attitude and a healthy dose of the heavenly virtues of temperance, diligence, forgiveness and humility will go a long way towards making our roads safer in 2008."
