your car (or not)...
You can do things right now to prevent
pollution your car can cause -- here's how:
-
don't top off your tank
when you get gas. Topping off the tank can keep the vapor
recovery system from doing its job of keeping smog-producing
vapors out of the air. Plus, you don't even get the gas
you're paying for if it goes back into the pump!
-
keep your car tuned up, and make sure
smog controls are working properly.
-
wash your car at the car wash
(washing in your driveway means exhaust and oil residue goes down
the storm drain into our creeks and ocean).
-
if you change your own oil, make sure
to take the used oil to an approved disposal location.
If you're looking for a new car, there
are many new models on the market today that produce very little air
pollution. See APCD's
Guide to a Clean Air Ride for all the information, including links
to state and national websites with comprehensive information on vehicle
models.
If you already have an alternative-fueled
vehicle, here are some links to find locations of refueling/recharging
stations:
Clean
Car Maps -- Interactive Maps and Driving Directions to California AFV
Refuel Locations
Alternative
Fuel Refueling Station Locator
Driving less is the best way of all to
prevent pollution. Here are some ways you can drive less:
check out www.santabarbaracarfree.org
for car free, carefree ways to get around town, and www.trafficsolutions.info
for your county commute options. -
combine car trips (much of the
pollution a car produces happens during cold starts -- this means
that one car trip with three stops produces much less air pollution
than three separate trips).
-
take the bus (transit bus and
commuter bus information and schedules are available from the Traffic
Solutions websites).
-
share a ride with someone (did you
know that fewer commuters are carpooling in the county, even though
this is one of the easier ways to cut down on driving?)
-
try biking to work, to school, or to
the store (call Traffic Solutions at 963-SAVE for a free map showing
the bike paths and routes all around the county). More biking
information is also available from the Santa
Barbara Bicycle Coalition.
|
