Reducing highway speed helps beat climate change

Environmentalists and Transport Canada have come to the same conclusion -- slowing down doesn't just save lives on the road it can help save the planet. A Transport Canada study to be released today says nearly half of Canada's motorists don't believe their driving habits contribute to climate change. Natural Resources Canada spokeswoman Catherine Ray says there's plenty of research showing slower driving nets significant gas savings -- which means fewer emissions. Bob Oliver of Pollution Probe says drivers can reduce their fuel consumption by 20 per cent by reducing their highway speed from 120 kilometres an hour to 100. Ottawa is working on a strategy to convince drivers they can make significant reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions with only minor changes to their driving.