Video contest offers more than $1,500 in prizes
QUEBEC CITY, Oct. 8, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - CAA-Quebec and the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) today launched an Eco-Driving Video Contest that offers participants two ways to win. Not only are there more than $1,500 in prizes to be won, but contestants will learn how to conserve fuel by following five easy-to-implement eco-driving tips. And reducing gas consumption isn't only about making a greener planet - it also saves money at the pump.
The contest (www.caa.ca/ecocontest), which runs from October 8 to November 17, invites young people in Quebec and across Canada to upload a brief video via Instagram or Vine that creatively demonstrates one of the five eco-driving tips in action.
Anyone can vote for their favourite video. There will be weekly prizes for voters, and at the end two grand prizes will be awarded - one for the most creative video, and one for the most popular.
"CAA's new Eco-Driving Video Contest is a great way to get youth thinking about eco-driving and reviewing their driving habits," says Jeff Walker, Vice-President of Public Affairs, CAA National. "Eco-driving can save more than just the environment, it can save you money as well."
For her part, Sophie Gagnon, Assistant Vice President, Public and Government Relations, CAA-Quebec, notes: "There are only benefits to adopting these tips, because eco-driving not only enables motorists to reduce their vehicles' emission of harmful pollutants, but also to limit premature wear-and-tear on several components and, most important, to reduce their gas consumption. With the price of a litre of gas constantly climbing, this in a win-win contest."
In addition to the cost savings associated with eco-driving, Natural Resources Canada research shows that following the five eco-driving techniques developed by CAA-Quebec and the CAA can cut fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 25%.
Just to get the creative juices flowing, here are those five tips, which, whether you're into video making or not, are worth remembering:
- Accelerate gently. According to one study referenced by Natural Resources Canada, frequent "jackrabbit" starts and hard braking reduce travel time by only 4%, but increase fuel consumption by 39%.
- Maintain a steady speed. As you increase speed, more power is needed to push the car through the air. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and will also save gas.
- Anticipate traffic. When doing errands by automobile, try to combine all of your stops into one trip. That way most travelling will occur when the engine is warmed up and most efficient.
- Coast to decelerate. A lot of energy is used trying to get a vehicle up to cruising speed - energy which is lost when the vehicle is forced to slow down unnecessarily.
- Avoid high speeds. Tests have shown that most cars use about 20% less fuel when they are driven at 90 km/h instead of 110 km/h.
Learn more about the contest and eco-driving at www.caa.ca/ecocontest.
About CAA
CAA is a federation of nine clubs providing nearly six million Members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.
About CAA-Quebec
CAA-Quebec, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1904, provides automotive, travel, residential and financial services and privileges to its 1,240,000 members.
SOURCE: CAA-Québec
Philippe St-Pierre
Communications Advisor
418 624-2424, ext. 2418
Cell.: 418 580-1633
[email protected]
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