In celebration of Earth Day this year, make a choice to go car-free for a week and make the world a better, greener place.

In addition to saving money on gas, choosing to give up your car for a day also has significant benefits for the environment because an average car releases 24 to 28 pounds of CO2 for every gallon of gasoline your car burns.

As Americans, we have gotten so used to driving everywhere that we’ve forgotten that many of the places we drive to are actually within walking or biking distance. By giving up your car for a week, you can increase your physical activity by taking a walk to the nearby coffee shop or bakery instead of driving and enjoy the fresh air and spring weather.

While giving up your car for an entire week sounds difficult, it may not be as challenging as you think. Here are five tips to help you through your car- free week:

1. Take the pledge.
Don’t just think about going car-free, make it a promise to yourself. Tell your friends and family about what you are doing and ask them to support and remind you about it during your car free week.

2. Get Your Friends and Family Involved.
Ask the people around you to also go car-free for a week. This way, you’re not only helping the environment, but you will also have someone to accompany you on any trips via public transportation or on bike or foot.

3. Plan Ahead.
While you may be used to taking frequent trips to the grocery store to pick up any items you’ve forgotten, consider taking a trip to a bulk retailer and stocking up on any items you’ll need during your car-free week to avoid unnecessary trips to the store.

4. Look into Public Transportation.
If you live in a large metropolitan city, you should look into your city’s public transportation system. While it may take a little longer than driving, you can take the extra time to start a book or catch up on work.

5. Skip the Gym.
Instead of driving to the gym, consider taking a walk or running outside. There are many natural substitutes for going to a gym, such as running up and down hills as a replacement for an incline on an elliptical or treadmill.

For the millions of Americans who live near the nation’s highways and freeways, traffic noise is a huge problem. In addition to being an annoyance, traffic noise can also lead to hearing loss and other health problems.

In 2003, Arizona launched a three-year, $34 million Quiet Pavement project to re-surface 115 miles of Phoenix area freeways with rubberized asphalt, a type of resurfacing treatment that reduces traffic noise. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, rubberized asphalt has been used in several states for more than 20 years. However, in the past few years, there has been a push to expand the use of rubberized asphalt because it can provide a smoother ride for motorists and quieter neighborhoods for those who live near a freeway or highway.

Currently, tests are underway in other parts of the United States such as Washington and Colorado to see if rubberized asphalt is a durable, cost-effective solution to reducing traffic noise. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation rubberized asphalt costs at least 50 percent more per lane-mile than standard asphalt, however because less materials are needed to pave roads, rubberized asphalt may be cheaper. While Arizona’s Quiet Pavement project was successful, the testing program in Washington proved to be fairly unsuccessful in reducing noise which many attribute to the differences in climate.

If you are interested in learning more about quiet pavement, here are five FAQs about rubberized asphalt (also known as quiet pavement).

1. What is Rubberized Asphalt?
Rubberized asphalt is made from mixing regular asphalt with around 20 percent ground used tires known as “crumb rubber.” Because around 1,500 tires are used for every lane-mile of rubberized paving, the amount of landfill space dedicated to used-tire processing could potentially be reduced. Rubberized Asphalt is also known as quiet pavement because it can reduce traffic noise by an average of 4 decibels, or 50 percent of freeway noise.

2. What advantages does Rubberized Asphalt have?
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, in addition to reducing traffic noise, rubberized asphalt has also been used as a “pavement preservation” strategy because it:
- Does not reflect cracks from the existing pavement
- Is more durable and skid-resistant
- Contributes a less bumpy car ride

3. Is the effectiveness of Rubber Asphalt affected by weather?
Rubberized asphalt can only be applied when the surface pavement is between 85 and 145 degrees for the material to adhere properly. Although there is no concrete evidence linking weather to the effectiveness of quiet pavement, Washington has attributed their mixed results from their test program to their northwestern climate.

4. What is the lifespan of rubberized asphalt?
Rubberized asphalt overlay has a shorter lifespan than a concrete overlay, however it has a longer expected lifespan than conventional asphalt. Some experts have voiced concerns about environmental concerns when the rubberized asphalt begins to deteriorate.

5. What are alternatives to rubberized asphalt?
Until recently, concrete barriers (or noise walls) have been the only federally acceptable means of reducing traffic noise. Currently barrier wall construction costs $1.3 and $3 million per mile. However, when there is a gap between barriers, buildings within the gaps do not benefit from noise reduction. Furthermore, when noise walls are built parallel to one another echoes generated may actually increase noise levels.

2010 marks the beginning of a new decade so why not take a step to a newer greener you by making your car environmentally friendly?

Even if you’re not ready to go completely green and convert your car to diesel or hydrogen-powered engine, there are quite a few things you can do to go green and save money at the same time.

So this year, pledge to make a change with these five easy ways to go green:

1. Drive Smoothly
While driving, always avoid sudden accelerating and braking. In a Consumer Reports study study, frequent bursts of accelerating and braking reduced the test car’s fuel economy by two to three mpg. Less gas means a bigger wallet and a greener car. Smooth driving can also help you extend the life of your car’s engine, transmission, brakes and tires.

2. Lighten up
Heavy loads in your car can weigh your car down and make it harder to accelerate, meaning you’ll use more gas each time you press on the gas pedal. Remove the excess weight from your car by taking out any unnecessary items you’ve been storing in the car.

3. Check up on Your Car
If it’s been a while since the last time you brought your car in for a tune-up, now might be the perfect time to do so. Get your oil changed to keep your engine clean and running efficiently.

4. Check Your Tires
When your tires are not properly inflated, your car can suffer a significant loss in fuel efficiency. For more information about checking your tires, check out our tire pressure guide.

5. Give up Your Car
If you live in an area with accessible public transportation, you might want to consider taking the bus or train instead of driving your car. But if this isn’t an option for you, you can still give up your car by arranging car pools and using car sharing services.

In a study compiled by the United States Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration [OSHA], 57 percent of Americans admit to partaking in distractions for personal purposes while 25 percent of Americans admit to participating in distracting activities while driving for work.

Ever wonder which distractions Americans engage in most? Here are the percentages broken down from the OSHA study:

96% – Talking to passengers
89% - Adjusting vehicle climate/radio controls
74% - Eating a meal/snack
51% - Using a cell phone
41% - Tending to children
34% - Reading a map/publication
19% - Grooming
11% - Preparing for work

With all talk about dangerous driving situations you may be wondering what your state is doing to prevent people from engaging in distracted driving.

Many have compared the recent push to make texting while driving illegal to Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s [MADD] push to stigmatize drunk driving. Advocates for making texting while driving illegal say that they are facing similar difficulties as MADD faced in their early stages. According to NPR, the problem is that Americans don’t take distractions seriously. Because driving distractions have become so prevalent, many people don’t even realize they are distracted until it’s too late.

While legislators like Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) have recognized the dangers of texting on the road and other driving distractions, many Americans are still resistant to laws regulating behavior within the confines of their car. Some, like the National Motorists Association argue that such laws are pervasive and unnecessary.

Currently, 19 states have laws banning texting while driving. These laws range in their reach. Some states, like Colorado, ban texting but do not ban the use of hand-held devices while driving. Other states, like California, ban both talking and texting on the road. According to the National Conference of State Legislators, lawmakers in 26 states have proposed 62 bills limiting cell phone use while driving

But what about other distractions? In addition to electronic devices, there are many other factors that can distract you on the road. Some of these distractions include: talking to other passengers, thinking about work and driving while sleepy.

So do you drive distracted? If so, you may want to think twice before you decide to take your eyes and mind off the road. In addition to cell phone bans, many states have laws in place to punish people who drive distracted.

Here are 4 distracted driving laws that you should pay attention to:
1. New Hampshire drivers face fines up to $1,000 for accidents related to any driving distraction.
2. 38 states prohibit drivers from watching TV while driving
3. Utah has a law against careless drivers that punishes a driver if they commit a moving violation, other than speeding, while using a hand-held device or other distracting activity
4. In Maine, drivers who commit moving violations or driving infractions can also be fined for distracted driving.

Technology can be a blessing, except when it’s a distraction on the road. With everything from BlackBerrys to iPhones, it can be difficult to resist the urge to check your email and text while driving. But studies have shown that using your phone on the road can significantly increase your risk for an accident.

This summer, the dangers of cell phones on the road became increasingly more apparent as a study showed that texting while driving was more dangerous than drinking and driving.

Experts believe that texting while driving can be even more dangerous for teens. Recently a British police department uploaded a horrific YouTube video* about the dangers of texting while driving. While the PSA was targeted towards teens, the message is applicable to everyone.

Here are 5 facts you may not know about the dangers of using your phone on the road.

1. 18-25 year old drivers talking on a cell phone with a headset reacted as slowly as a 65 to 74-year driver without any distractions.

2. Drivers talking on cell phones were 18 percent slower in hitting their brakes than those without cell phones.

3. Drivers on cell phones took 17 percent longer to regain speed when they braked.

4. Texting while driving increases your risk for an accident by nearly six times as much as driving without distractions.

5. In 2008, nearly 6000 people died in car accidents because of a distracted or inattentive driver and more than half a million were injured.

* Content contains images of graphic and realistic automobile accident.

Dangerous. Deadly. Stupid. These are all words that people have used to describe texting or calling behind the wheel.

This summer, reports stating texting while driving was worse than drunk driving and a chilling video of teenagers getting into an accident, put the issue of controlling texting on the road on the minds of many legislators.

While many law makers have been proposing and successfully passing (in some states) laws banning cell phone use while driving, a key topic of debate has arisen: are these laws actually effective in preventing accidents and limiting cell phone use?

Researchers at the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)  recently conducted a study of the use of cell phones in cars in three cities where cell phone laws are in place and found the effectiveness of the laws varied greatly.

In Washington D.C., half of drivers stopped using their hand-held devices while driving since a ban took in effect in 2004. New York City, on the other hand, was the first state to prohibit hand-held phones in 2001. While cell phone use initially decreased 47 percent, it began going back up fairly quickly.

After enacting a cell phone law in the 2005, Connecticut saw an initial 76 percent decline in cell phone use, but like New York, the impact was temporary and usage began increasing shortly.

IIHS estimates that hand-held phone use is 65 percent lower in Connecticut, 24 percent lower in New York and 43 percent lower in District than it would have been if these laws had not been enacted.

Opponents of cell phone bans have said that these anti-cell phone laws are unrealistic and nearly impossible to enforce.

Currently 6 states have handheld cell phone bans and 19 states, including the District of Columbia and Guam, ban text messaging for all drivers. The extent of punishment varies by state so check your state’s laws.

However, cell-phone use while driving all goes back to the issue of distracted driving, which significantly increases your risk of getting into an accident.

So regardless of whether or not your agree with a law banning hand-held phones, make the road a little safer for both yourself and other drivers by putting down your phone and keeping your eyes and mind focused on the road ahead.

With winter fast approaching, it is more important than ever to practice safe driving habits, especially as the driving conditions begin to deteriorate. While weather conditions, high winds, heavy rains, snow and sleet can create intimidating driving conditions, most Americans tend to “tough it out” because they have obligations and work.

On Tuesday’s Vehicle Vibes Radio show, Marcia talks with Sia Bani, Al Alaverdi and Lucas Vandenberg from the Driving Safety Foundation (DSF), which is an association with the National Institute of Driving behavior, that provides knowledge and training for novice and experienced drivers to gain more complete control on the road. DSF shares ways to drive defensively and how to keep yourself safer on the road during adverse driving conditions We also talk about good driving habits that can help you minimize and avoid risk on the road.

You can listen to Marcia’s discussion with Sia, Al, and Lucas about driving during inclement weather and other safe driving habits on Vehicle Vibes Radio.

Have you ever thought about the unique dangers of driving at night? If you’re like most drivers, the answer is probably no. But according to the National Safety Council [PDF], traffic death rates are almost three times greater at night than during the day.

Driving at night is more dangerous for several reasons. In addition to being able to see less at night, your depth perception and peripheral vision are also severely limited at night. All of these can have a major impact on your reaction time on the road.

In addition to limited visibility at night, most of us are usually more fatigued at night, which can make concentrating on the road more difficult. This driving reality, accompanied with the stress of your day-to-day activities, can also distract you and put you at a higher risk for a traffic accident.

Luckily, you can take a few steps to protect yourself and minimize the dangers of driving at night. Here are 5 driving safety tips for driving at night to help you stay safe on the road:

1. Do a quick car safety check-up
Before you drive at night, make sure your headlights, taillights and signal lights are clean and working properly. If you’re a single woman driving alone, you can back up to a shop window, press your brakes, and watch your rearview mirror for your brake lights to show in the window’s reflection. You should also consider taking your car to the shop and making sure your headlights are properly aimed. Misaimed headlights can blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.

2. Avoid driving distractions
While you should never use your cell phone while driving or engage in other distracted driving activities, these behaviors should be particularly avoided at night when your visibility is poor and already reduced.

3. Be A More Courteous Driver
Even if you are on a road that you are familiar with, you should reduce your speed and increase the distance between the car in front of you when driving at night. This will give you more space and time to react in case the car in front of you does something unexpected.

4. Use your Headlights
Even if it’s dusk, it is always better to turn on your headlights. While headlights may not help you see the road better, they will make it easier for other drivers to see you. But remember to keep your headlights on low beams so you don’t blind the drivers in front of you.

5. Get your Eyes Checked
As people get older, it is more important than ever to have your eyes checked every year for conditions such as cataracts that can affect night time driving. If you wear glasses, you should talk to your eye-care provider about special anti-glare glasses that can help you see better at night.

According to data from the Deer Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse, Michigan, Illinois, New York, and Ohio report the highest number of deer-vehicle crashes during 2007-2008. And while many states attempt to take preventive measures to control the deer population, avoiding a dangerous accident with a deer is ultimately up to the driver.

Deer activity is at its peak during the fall and winter from mid-September through December around sunrise and sunset, so before you set out on your next road trip or just weekday commute, here are some driving safety tips to keep you safe and accident free during deer season.

1.    Have a Plan
It’s important to know how to react to a deer popping out onto the road, before it happens. Before you hit the road, have an emergency plan in place. Know how to use your anti-lock brakes, how to steer without swerving and other safe driving techniques. You also should not hesitate in making a decision. Either brake immediately and assertively or step on the gas and accelerate past the deer.  You’ll need to choose the best course of action for the particular situation at a moment’s notice.

2.    Don’t Steer Clear of Deer
While hitting a deer is an experience that most drivers want to avoid, you should never risk your life or the lives of your passengers to save an animal’s life. Many deer-related accidents occur when drivers steer to avoid a deer and end up hitting another car or driving off the road. If you see the deer in time, you can try honking to frighten the deer. You should also learn how to use your ABS steering, which allows maximum steering ability during braking. A little bit of steering goes a long way, so be careful not over over-steer.

3.    Stay Alert
With deer appearing on the road, with no prior warning, it’s important to stay alert and remain distraction-free. In the time it takes you to pick up your phone, a deer can easily jump onto the road and cause an accident. Also remember that deer often travel in packs, so if you see one, there are probably other deer around.

4.    Follow the Speed Limit
Your car’s speed can have a big effect on how long you have to react to a sudden obstacle on the road and also the extent of the impact of an accident. It’s always a good idea to follow the speed limit and if you see deer on the side of the road, you may want to slow down below the speed limit. Deer can be unpredictable.

5.    Wear Your Seat Belt
In the unfortunate event of an accident, your seat belt can save your life. While you should always have your seat belt on, it is a must have during deer season.