Green Living

Driving up your car’s fuel efficiency

A nearby community converted more than 50 four-way-stop-sign intersections into roundabouts-you know, those circular drive-arounds that you merge into? Most people say they take some getting-used-to. But it’s apparently well worth the effort. The town has experienced a reduction in accidents by 80 percent, and a decrease in fuel consumption by 24,000 gallons-per roundabout per year!

This got me to thinking about all the time we spend in our cars not moving. Warming up on cold winter mornings. Waiting in long drive-thru lines. Even slowed to virtual standstills at busy lights during rush hour. 

Turning off your car saves gas, even if you’re only stopped for a couple of minutes. You may not want to turn off your car at every stoplight, but steer clear of fast-food and bank drive-thrus.