Hi, The following is a very rough idea from a list of possible initiatives that was initially intended to help the adoption of transition projects. It MIGHT be worth considering.

5) Promoting Smaller Car Use – even if you don’t like cars for employment reasons you may not be able to avoid owning one. Many who do make a conscious decision to buy small, efficient models. Unfortunately driving a small car can be construed as not having the money to buy a larger one – a ridiculous status issue. It is very depressing to stand by the side of the road to watch SUV after SUV go by and think that even if someone isn’t driving one it’s because they haven’t got enough money – yet.

Driving a smaller car should be seen as a positive thing from an environmental and social viewpoint (less chance of serious accidents). The suggestion is as follows a single identifiable sticker could be produced for small car owners that states they drive a small car through choice, not due to lack of money i.e ‘Wee Car Lover – better for People and Planet’. It would work on the same principle as an AA or RSPB car sticker easy to identify and make association with because it is of one standard design – easy to publicise what it stands for. It establishes a ‘fraternity’ that increasingly people might want to join. It would certainly be uplifting to see cars with one and help counter the frustration of seeing SUVs all the time. This is a psychological gimmick basically, but since driving a larger car than is necessary is not based on any rationality that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t have some impact.

Smaller cars should also mean that the number and severity of accidents should come down (when she was very small my little sister ran out in front of a car and got a broken leg, if it had been an SUV heavier and with a high, square front she may well have ended up in a wheelchair or coffin rather than a stookie). Combine this with the fact that smaller cars make it easier for the emergency services to negotiate traffic then the police, fire and ambulance services could set an example and promote smaller car driving to their employees. Likewise companies can start promoting that their staff uses small rather than large cars due to both environmental and social considerations. Remax a local estate agent use smart cars, an example that could be held up and pushed to other companies, a very valuable precedent or near precedent. It would be a significant turning point if sales people and company reps thought there was more prestige to be earned by driving small rather than large cars. This might be closer than we think and it would help companies save money – some of which could be passed on to employees?

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