Smart drivers could save £68m over 12 days of Christmas

Drivers who act on CO2 this festive season and follow the Department for Transport's Smarter Driving tips can help tackle climate change and save money during this expensive time of the year.

The Department for Transport's ACT ON CO2 campaign is aimed at encouraging drivers to cut CO2 emissions either by choosing a more environmentally friendly vehicle or using simple tips to reduce fuel consumption.

If all drivers in the UK followed the Smarter Driving tips over the twelve days of Christmas, CO2 emissions from cars could be reduced by 8%, which equates to 182 thousand tonnes of CO2, saving all motorists almost £68 million in just twelve days.

Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "With many of us travelling to visit family and friends over Christmas time, 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 some 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 such as AOL and the AA buying guide.

The advertising will give motorists simple Smarter Driving tips to help them drive in a way that improves fuel consumption and therefore reduces carbon emissions. They star 'Engine', a character designed to show that it's not just the car; it's how you treat the engine that counts.

The top Smarter Driving tips are:

* Pump up to cut down on CO2 - under-inflated tyres mean more CO2 so make sure your tyres are pumped up correctly

* Don't over rev the engine - change up a gear a little earlier when you can

* Less clutter in your car means less CO2 - the less weight you carry in your car, the easier it is for your engine and the less fuel it uses

More tips are available at dft.gov.uk/ActOnCO2 along with the best on CO2 rankings which allow you to search the top 10 cars with lowest CO2 emissions by class.