Traffic Jam

The Effects Of Traffic Congestion On The Environment

Traffic congestion is something that many people have come to expect as part of their daily routine. Most of these people do not consider the impact that this congestion is having on the environment. There are a number of ways that traffic congestion is affecting the environment and it is important that you know about this.

Global Warming

Car pollution is one of the major factors behind global warming and traffic congestion increases this pollution. When cars are stuck in traffic they are constantly accelerating and stopping. The problem with this is that accelerating from a stop will burn more fuel than traveling a long distance. When cars burn fuel, they will emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses.

Greenhouse gasses will become trapped in the atmosphere and has caused a worldwide rise in temperatures. Of course, it is important to note that without greenhouse gasses the world would be covered in ice, but car emissions have increased these gasses too much. Warmer temperatures will have a major impact on sea levels, farming and wildlife.

Air, Soil And Water

The effects of car pollution are widespread and affect all aspects of the environment from the air to the water and the soil. Nitrous oxide which is produced by cars in traffic is known as one of the contributors to the depletion of the ozone layer. This is a major issue as the ozone layer is our natural protection from the harmful UV rays and depletion will allow more of these rays to reach the surface of the Earth.

Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are also produced by cars and will mix with rainwater. This is the mixture which creates acid rain which is known to damage forests, crops, building and other vegetation. Oil and fuel spills from vehicles that are stuck in traffic can enter the soil and this will contaminate it. There are also times when these traffic by-products enter the water and contaminate the rivers, lakes and wetlands.

The Effect On Human Health

The effect of traffic congestion does not only relate to the environment, it also has an impact on human health. Car pollutants which are greater when there is traffic, are known to cause health problems in humans. Particle matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons all affect human health in a negative manner and all increase when vehicles are stuck in traffic.

Diesel engines will emit higher levels of certain particulate matter which is able to cause skin and eye irritation. Very fine particles will be able to enter the lungs and this can cause a range of respiratory problems. Hydrocarbons will react with nitrogen dioxide and sunlight to form ozone which is actually harmful when it is found at ground level.

Ozone at ground level can inflame the lungs which causes coughing, chest pains and difficulty breathing. Carbon monoxide, another gas often found during traffic, is very dangerous to the elderly and infants as it can interfere with the blood’s ability to transport oxygen.

Heavy vehicles on a green highway.

Frequently Service Your Heavy Vehicles to Protect the Environment

Heavy vehicles have the potential to cause damage to the environment. With that said, the owners of these vehicles aren’t helpless. Regular servicing of these vehicles can help the plant in a number of ways. Here’s why frequent servicing matters:

Regular Servicing Can Extend The Lifespan Of Your Vehicle

The environment has suffered because of the amount of waste that we produced. It’s important to care for the items that you have. If you protect and care for your heavy vehicle, it will last for much longer.

If your vehicle frequently gets serviced, breakdowns will be less common. The parts in your vehicle may not need to be replaced right away. Caring for your vehicle will allow you to cut back on the amount of waste that they produce. Heavy vehicles are very large; you don’t want something like that in a scrap yard!

Vehicles That Are In Excellent Condition Are Less Likely To Pollute The Air

All vehicles cause some pollution. However, vehicles that are properly cared for aren’t going to be having a significant impact on the quality of the air. Servicing your vehicle is one of the best ways to reduce your emissions.

It’s especially important to keep heavy vehicles from polluting the air. Since these vehicles are large in size, they have the potential to cause a lot of damage. Caring for your vehicle and replacing its air filter will benefit everyone around you.

Your Vehicle Will Consume Less Gas

It’s important to cut back on the amount of gas that your vehicle consumes. This isn’t just important for financial reasons. The oil used to produce gasoline is a non-renewable resource, and we need to be careful about how much oil we consume.

Vehicles go through gas more quickly when they’re in bad shape. If you have your vehicle serviced annually, you’ll be able to use less gas. You should also make sure you have your oil changed as needed. Do everything you can to protect your vehicle.

Regular Servicing Allows You To Identify Problems

If there’s something wrong with your vehicle, you may not notice the problem right away. In fact, your vehicle may wind up causing a great deal of damage before you realize that there’s an issue in the first place.

If you consistently have your vehicle serviced, you’ll be able to spot and address problems before the issue gets out of hand. You’ll be able to have your vehicle fixed when something is wrong with it, and you will be able to keep your vehicle from causing any unnecessary damage. If you keep an eye on your vehicle, you’ll be able to keep it running perfectly.

Are you looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint? If you want to limit the impact that you have on the environment, you’re going to want to work to keep your heavy vehicle in excellent shape. If you take great care of your heavy vehicle, you’ll be able to keep it from causing problems.

World Diesel can provide you with a mobile truck service in Perth. If you’re not in Perth look up your local mechanic today.