Survey: Should Eco-Driving be Part of Driver Training?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 09.16.08
Mike writes in his post Real-World Anecdote: How You Drive is Very Important for Fuel Economy about basic green driving skills: "These kinds of basic driving tips should be part of all drivers' education before getting a license. It won't stick with everyone, but it will be better than nothing."
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These are worthwhile skills and should be taught. However, I think a lot of things need to be added to driver education that are currently lacking. Getting your license shouldn't be a simple matter of demonstrating a left turn, right turn, three point turn, and parallel park, as it basically is in NY. Driving to improve mileage; how to deal with motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians; right of way rules; and driving on highways all deserve attention they aren't currently getting. Driving education needs to be longer and more comprehensive overall.
People need to stop trying to legislate responsibility and morality. You can start whatever promptional groups you want just quit making more laws.
I dunno about trying to teach eco-driving. It's hard enough to stop littering and cigarette butt flipping.
Safe driving should be the priority.
If people drive safely (which includes driving slowly without rapid changes in speed), and maintain their car (keep tires inflated, fluids fresh, car clean), then green driving is a natural byproduct.
But having green driving the focus can lead to unsafe driving (tailgating, dangerous merging techniques, obstructing traffic etc.)
I agree with Jon. Laws should only be in place to protect people (and not to protect them from themselves). We can however all do our part by informing others about the benefits of green driving. Often, the most convincable arguement is that it saves money, but some people are willing to spend more and be less green so they can drive faster.
I just want to point out to those that are screaming "no more laws!" that this survey is asking if green driving skills should be TAUGHT. They're not asking whether they should enact laws to require this behavior, they simply want to teach people the benefits that driving more conservatively can bring. Why would you not want to educate people on something that can help them in terms of safety, money, and burning less fuel?