The key to saving petrol? Never turn right

Most people save fuel by investing in a more efficient car, using a satnav or lowering their speed, but over the last decade, the courier company UPS has saved 37 million litres of diesel by insisting that its drivers avoid making turns against oncoming traffic.

Waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic before making a turn costs the company time and fuel. Insisting that UPS delivery drivers in America always make a right turn has reduced the company’s carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking 5,300 cars off the road for an entire year.

Elizabeth Rasberry from UPS explained “A significant cause of idling time resulted from drivers making left turns, essentially going against the flow of traffic. From there we explored routes where these turns were cut out entirely, and then compared data. Even if this meant traveling a greater distance, results showed that more packages could be delivered in less time with reduced emissions by driving in a series of right-hand loops. It helped the bottom line, met consumer demands and increased safety.”

Making a right turn on American roads is easier at many junctions because drivers are permitted to cross a red traffic light if they give way.

Tips to save fuel

• Slow down. Stressed driving can be erratic and is uneconomical. Driving at 50-60 mph means your emissions will be lowest. Driving over 70mph will rapidly increase your emissions. It can cost you up to 25% more in fuel to drive at 70mph compared to 50mph
• Air conditioning should be limited as it uses more fuel
• Switch off the engine if you think you will stationary for more than two minutes
• Careful motorway driving improves safety and traffic flow and lowers fuel consumption
• Where possible drive with the windows up to reduce drag and your fuel consumption