DIAMOND ADVANCED TEST GOES ECO: NIFTY AND THRIFTY!
09 November 2005 - DIAmond Advanced Motorist Test

The DIAmond Advanced Motorist Test is the first advanced driving test toinclude eco-safe driving techniques.

Under the latest EU directive on driving licences, eco-safe driving techniques are now built into the government test taken by would-be driving instructors ­ and it makes sound
sense to extend this level of skill and awareness to all drivers.

The EU directive reflects the increased awareness and need for economical and environmentally friendly driving without any compromise on safety.

Typical examples of eco-safe driving which in general save fuel and reduce harmful emissions include:

* Using cruise control if it is fitted to the vehicle and if road, weather
and traffic conditions are suitable for a fixed speed to be maintained;

* When it becomes evident that it will be necessary to slow down, reducing
speed at an early stage by lifting off the accelerator, rather than braking
at the last moment;

* Keeping a vehicle on the move whenever and wherever it is safe to do so,
rather than stopping and moving away from rest continually;

* Double de-clutching or changing gear in a way which requires revving the
engine both use fuel unnecessarily and are therefore not considered
eco-safe;

* Using the power or torque characteristics of an engine to drive in the
highest gear possible without causing the engine to labour.

³These are only examples of eco-safe driving,² says DIAmond Chief Examiner
Colin O¹Connell, ³but they are useful guidelines and demonstrate the type of
approach we now expect. It is worth emphasising, though, that safety should
never be compromised, so there will be times when eco-safe driving
techniques will not be appropriate.²

www.driving.org

More News
  For November 2005
  From DIAmond Advanced Motorist Test
  For Training
  Biker247.com Home Page