Real People Driving Real Cars Save 10% On Gas

Avoiding hard stops, squealing starts and other bad driving habits can cut fuel consumption and gas costs by 10%, and pollution by even more, according to a new study detailed in today's Los Angeles Times.

Drivers in the study were given an unusual view of their driving habits, courtesy of a device called an accelerometer installed in their cars that sent real-time data to the Web that matched their driving habits with their fuel consumption. The result? Over the course of a year, they reformed their bad habits and started saving fuel.

That driving habits influence fuel consumption is not new, but this study points out that people given real data will change their habits to reduce fuel consumption and cost. Similar anecdotes have come from drivers of the Toyota Prius and other models that offer real-time fuel consumption data on the dashboard.

And the study also makes another important point: It's not all about gas prices. Carbon dioxide emissions dropped nearly 16% per vehicle, on average.

Click here for The Daily Green's 10 gas-saving driving tips.

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