Drivers want to take a leadership role in reducing car emissions: poll

MONTREAL , Nov. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - A new poll commissioned by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has found that drivers want to take a leadership role in reducing car emissions, and even with the economic downturn, this has not dampened the environment as a household priority.

According to the poll, some 56 per cent of Canadians believe that reducing the environmental impact of driving would make a big difference in terms of environmental progress overall, with another 34 per cent saying it would make a little bit of difference.

Quebec residents were even more vocal in believing such a move would make a big difference, with 67 per cent expressing this belief.

Half of drivers also said they believe they can do a lot to reduce the environmental impact of their transportation activities. Nationally, 49 per cent of drivers were of the view that a lot can be done, and in Quebec , 62 per cent felt that a lot can be done.

Even in the current economic climate, three out of four drivers said the environment remains as high a priority as the economy. This trend was evident in all regions of Canada , including Quebec where 71 per cent said the environment was a key priority.

Motorists were also polled on whether having tools to help them reduce the environmental impact of driving would be helpful. All told, 80 per cent of drivers said that such tools would be very or somewhat useful, and only 13 per cent said such a tool wouldn't be useful.

Residents of Quebec and Ontario expressed the highest level of interest in gaining access to such tools.

"Canadian drivers are committed to environmental progress and recognize they can make a difference in reducing emissions, both in terms of how they drive, and in terms of what they drive," says Jeff Walker , vice president of public affairs and chief strategy officer for the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA).

The poll also found that four in five drivers believe that CAA should take a leadership role in promoting environmentally sustainable approaches to driving and transportation. Among this group, women are the most likely to believe CAA should take on such a role (87 per cent), and members of CAA (85 per cent) were more likely than average to say the organization should take on this role.

"CAA is committed to being an enabler for its members, and for all Canadians to reduce the environmental impacts of driving," says Walker.

To do so, CAA partnered with environmental firm Pollution Probe to create an all-new, first-of-its-kind Primer on Automobile Fuel Efficiency and Emissions. Also, in conjunction with CAA-Québec, several fuel efficiency tools were developed and will be presented to media representatives at the Montréal Science Centre on November 26, 2009 , from 9:45 am to 10:45 am .

Members of the media who wish to learn more details about this launch event are encouraged to contact Brigitte Roussy at: [email protected].

About the poll:

This poll was conducted for CAA by Harris/Decima. 1, 000 Canadians were surveyed nationwide through teleVox, the company's national telephone omnibus. The data was gathered between October 22 and October 25, 2009 . A sample of the same size has a margin of error of 3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

About the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA):

CAA is a federation of nine automobile clubs serving 5.3 million members through 139 offices across Canada . CAA provides a wide range of member services and works to improve travelling and motoring conditions at home and around the world, including national advocacy efforts on the environment, infrastructure, traffic safety, and public policy issues that affect Canadians.

www.caa.ca

About CAA Quebec:

CAA-Quebec, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1904, provides automotive, travel, residential and financial services, benefits and privileges to its one million members.

www.caaquebec.com

For further information: Canadian Automobile Association: Dean Morin, Communications Manager, Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), [phone] ext. 2026, [email protected]; Brigitte Roussy, Public Relations Officer, CAA-Quebec, [phone] ext. 3210, [email protected]