Government pressure on motorists to curb emissions is continuing its unrelenting pace with a new initiative called Smarter Driving. Announced by transport minister Gillian Merron the aim is to get drivers to inflate their tyres, avoid over-revving and remove clutter from their cars.

Ms Merron said carbon dioxide from car exhausts could be cut by 8% if all drivers in Britain followed the government's advice. The total reduction would be over 5.5 million tonnes a year of carbon dioxide and would also save motorists over £2 billion in fuel costs.

'The way we drive can help to reduce our impact on the environment and by using less fuel, motorists can save money too,' Merron said.

The motoring campaign comes ahead of the publication of a draft Climate Change Bill, which will set in law a goal of cutting national CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050.

An online calculator on the transport ministry's Act On CO2 website allows drivers to estimate how much they could cut their fuel bills by changing their motoring habits. It showed that someone driving 12,000 miles a year could save around £100 off an annual £1,250 bill.

The Smarter Driving recommendations include:

Under-inflated tyres mean more CO2, so, make sure tyres are pumped up correctly.

Don't over-rev the engine

Change up a gear a little earlier where possible.

Less clutter in a car means less CO2 - the less weight carried, the easier it is for the engine and the less fuel it uses.