January 1^st 2009 was the beginning of the economic and eco-driving. When taking the driving tests, the new drivers will need to know how to drive economically and how to lower the pollution. This measure is applied in other countries as well, where Holland and Sweden are models for it. Germany and Austria have also included the eco-driving in the theoretical training of young drivers. The test materials and questions have been sent to the competent departments of the State authorities and to the Federations of driving instructors. The new theoretical teaching manuals include a new chapter for ecological driving with a test at the end. The Ministry of Transportation will organize special seminars for the driving instructors and will give out educational CD’s.

The eco-driving is a safer way of driving on lower engine revolutions (1200 to 2500 revolutions per minute) and with softer acceleration. This way more gas is saved and the pollution is decreased without prolonging the trip. Specialists believe that by applying the principals of eco-driving, the gas consumption will decrease between 10% and 25%. Car accidents are expected to decrease as well with the same percentages. The ecological and economic driving will influence the environment by firstly lowering the noise and decreasing the carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere.

Minister of Transportation Kostis Hadzidakis notes that if you take in consideration the gas prices right now, the drivers will gain 50 days per year of free gas by driving ecologically. According to the chairman of the car importers union “applying those rules can save up to 2500 Euros per car annually.”

The public transportation busses will also drive ecologically. A special program has already started, which will include special courses for 5000 drivers and will continue until the end of the year. The specialists believe that if a bus driver drives ecologically, 3 million liters of diesel can be saved per year, which accounts for 3 million Euros according to today’s gas prices.

The information campaign supporting the ecological and economic driving starts next week, in which the singer Elli Kokinou will participate.