Automobile Anonymous
Motto: "Four wheels bad, two legs good"
Automobile Anonymous is a support network for people trying to drive less or give up driving.
Below is the heart-rending story of an addict:
"My name is Jeremy and I am an addict.
My addiction began when I was seventeen. I couldn’t wait any longer. I picked up my habit from an older addict who got me on the road and showed me the ropes. It was expensive way to learn, but it got me past the early hurdles until I was on my own, put me in the driving seat, able to get my fix wherever there are dealers. Like many other people I started on the small stuff, and progressed to harder, bigger, faster things.
My habit has got worse over the years, starting with just the odd trip, but then progressing until I couldn’t go a single day without a fix. I’ve had endless trips now, all over the place, even at work. It’s got so bad now I can’t even go to the local shops without a fix. I love the sensation of being able to fly, of sharing the trip with other people, while listening to my favourite music.
It doesn’t hurt anyone else, not so long as you’re careful, watch out for the warning signs, don’t try to take things too quickly. OK, I’ve been picked up by the Police a few times. After all speed is so addictive. But I’ve just paid the fines and picked up a few points. I’ve never tried to hide my addiction as there seem to be so many other people with the same problem. Being an addict really affects your health. I've put on weight and at times I've virtually lost the use of my legs.
Now I’m on the road to recovery. I’ve been driving for 30 years now and it’s time to stop."
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If like Jeremy you want to wean yourself off an addiction to driving,
then try our twelve top tips for giving up.
12 Top Tips for giving up your car
1. Start small. Give up the short journeys first. If you cycle, walk or jog instead you will get fitter, save money, and make new friends - you don't stop to talk to people in a car.
2. Set yourself realistic targets. It's tough going "cold turkey". If you drive to work, aim to cut down on one journey a week to start with. Then build on your success until you gradually wean yourself off your addiction completely.
3. Investigate car sharing - you may be able to reduce your car use by 50% if you take turns to drive, and cut your fuel bill at the same time. While you are cutting down, you may find a car club a useful way of reducing the need to own a vehicle, and save yourself a fortune.
4. Start a support group. Start your own branch of "Automobile Anonymous" to support other people and receive support.
5. Think about working locally or from home. If you currently commute by car you may be able to get a local job you can get to without a car, cutting your fuel bill, and saving you time. You may even be able to work from home.
6. Live locally. The biggest hurdle to giving up the car is that our lives have become so dispersed. Explore what is on your doorstep. It is amazing how we often fail to appreciate how much we could do locally.
7. Get on your bike. It's good exercise, and there are more and more cycle routes being opened up. And just as there is nothing worse than a reformed smoker, reformed motorists will soon find themselves cursing inconsiderate drivers!
8. Join a walking bus for your childrens' school run, or if there isn't one, start your own. They will be healthier and happier.
9. Campaign for better public transport. Once you start to cut down your car use you will want to make life easier for yourself and others to do the same.
10. For longer journeys try combining a train or coach with a taxi the other end.
11. For foreign travel the Eurostar is a great way to get to the continent.
12. Use home deliveries. There are good environmental reasons for not using the supermarkets, but if you do, try shopping online. There is usually a delivery charge to pay but there is less temptation to impulse buy, and you save lots of time.
Why not send us your own hints and tips about cutting back the driving habit, or details of your own experiences?
To contact Automobile Anonymous write c/o Eco, 98 Crane Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 1QD or email: webmaster@ecozine.co.uk Tel. 07725 147 626
Useful links
You may find some of the sites below helpful in overcoming your craving:
Rail information
National Rail Enquiries - an online timetable to find the quickest way for any rail journey
Rail Passenger Council - the national rail consumer watchdog
Staffs.ac.uk/schools/sciences/geography/cast/
Bus information
National Federation of Bus Users - independent group that gives bus users a voice
Wiggly Bus - a demand responsive transport system featuring a bus which can be booked to go off-route
Public Transport Information
Traveline - information on bus, coach and train travel
General information
DFT: Department for Transport
Nottingham University - Index of Websites related to sustainable urban travel
europa.eu.int/comm/environment/trans/ European Commission - 'Developing a Sustainable Transport System'
London Congestion Charging Links
European Commission Directorates-General Energy and Transport
The Highways Agency - responsible for operating the road network
PTI.org.uk UK Public Transportation Information
AirQuality.co.uk UK National Air Quality Information Archive
Accidents and support
Road Peace - dedicated to supporting bereaved and injured road crash victims, and campaigning for road safetyRoyal Society for the Prevention of Accidents - charity which campaigns for education, change and safety
Car Clubs
Car Plus - national charity promoting responsible car use, giving a list of car clubs around the UK
Freewheelers - online database for people offering or needing lifts around the UK
Liftshare - Award winning database for private and business use
My Lifts - carshare website
Share a car - carshare website mainly for the South and Midlands
Smart Moves - Carclubs based in Edinburgh, Huddersfield, Norwich, Portsmouth, Brighton, London, Reading, Bath and Bristol
Village Car Share - info. on setting up a carshare scheme in villages
Taxis
Green Tomato Cars - London minicab firm using only Toyota Prius Hybrids
Cycling
A to B magazine - gear and advice
Bicycle Doctor - workers' co-op in Manchester that sells and repairs bikes
Brompton bicycles - makers of the famous folding bike
Cycle Campaign Network - UK national federation of cycle campaign groups
Cycle 1st - Site for everything to do with bikes
Cyclists Touring Club - UK national cyclists' organisation
The Folding Society - for owners of folding bikes
Kinetics - Scottish firm selling electric, folding and recumbent bikes
Strida - makers of an ultra-lite and modernistic folding bike
Velovision - a quarterly bike magazine
Workbike - list of trike, bike and pedicab makers
Electric Scooters
Scoot Electric - sell stylish electric scooter through a dealer network
Walking
Home Zone News - streets designed for people
Living Streets -
Campaigning
Car busters - international group campaigning for a car-free world
In Town Without my Car - town centres which have a car-free day
London cycling campaign - aiming to make London a better place for cyclists
Rail Future - campaigning for better passenger and freight services
Road Alert - International resource about transport direct action
Road Block - supporting anti-road protests around the UK
Road Rage - a point of reference for green transport campaigns
Sustainable Transport.org.uk - Campaigning to increase awareness of the environmental impacts of current transportation modes and to promote more sustainable alternatives
Sustrans.org.uk Sustainable transport charity working on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport
Transform Scotland.org.uk
Campaign for Better Transport - independent organisation promoting sustainable transport.
To support Automobile Anonymous send donations payable to "Eco", and help us spread the word! Eco, 98 Crane Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 1QD.
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