Transport Minister gets eco-driving lesson from MPG Marathon

Minister of State for Transport John Hayes was challenged by the organisers of the MPG Marathon to see if he could become as efficient as the country’s most accomplished eco-drivers.

Hayes was given a lesson by one of the Energy Saving Trust’s expert driver trainers in a MPG Marathon Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, providing him with useful tips and small changes to driving style to improve efficiency.

Following the training, Hayes was able to improve his overall fuel economy by 12 per cent. He said: “I think it is essential to encourage businesses and the public people to realise that they can save a lot of money by driver training, and get the beneficial effects on emissions, comfort and safety too.

“From this training, I’ve discovered first hand it really is possible to make dramatic changes in fuel economy with the adoption of some relatively simple practices. Anticipating the road ahead, driving smoothly and using the natural momentum of the car, rather than accelerating and braking harshly are essential to driving more economically.

“Promotion of this is important, and the government is very keen to push harder on this.”

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