Tree Hugging Family

Reasons to Carpool

by Peggy on May 8th, 2008

As I mentioned in my printer post, we’re reviewing some of the choices in the Biggest Green Sin poll going on now in the sidebar. We’ve gotten several votes so far, and a few of you have said you refuse to carpool. So, let’s look at some reasons you should perhaps change your mind.

I understand the annoyances of carpooling. Right now I work from home, but for a couple of years I carpooled to work with my husband. While it was fun to have someone share the driving with and to talk with on the ride in, I would sometimes get annoyed if he wasn’t ready to leave in the afternoon when I was. And perhaps that’s the biggest challenge in carpooling to work, finding someone who fits your schedule.

Carpooling doesn’t just apply to work though. Moms can group together to pick up kids from school. Of course, negotiating around extra-curricular activities can be the challenge with school.

Whatever the challenges, carpooling is worth it for the benefits to the environment and some personal benefits you may not have thought about.

If you can’t walk, take public transportation or a bike, carpooling is the next best thing. Here’s why:

• According to studies at the University of California, Irvine, you’re likely to have lower blood pressure and less stress if you carpool.

• Other studies have shown that a driver’s risk of death goes down by almost 8% when another passenger is in the car.

• Your travel time is cut by getting to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.

• You save gas and reduce carbon emissions. Yay!

• There’s less traffic on the road, so everyone spends less time stuck in traffic (which means fewer emissions).

• Your car won’t need maintenance as often, and the warranty may last longer since you’ll be adding fewer miles.

• You may be able to share a parking space in a garage rather than each of you paying a monthly fee. (I don’t miss my monthly fee to park for work!)

Are those enough reasons to overcome any annoyances that may be associated with carpooling? Remember, it doesn’t hurt to try.

And it just so happens that fellow green blogger Allison over at Greener Assets has put together a fine list of carpooling resources — places to find your ride. Visit Green Your Travel: Carpooling for details.

Image via MorgueFile.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

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POSTED IN: Transportation