Promotions and Events

SEPTEMBER 22 – WORLD CAR-FREE DAY


In terms of the air breathed by city residents, road transport makes the largest contribution to air pollution. The number of privately owned passenger cars in the Vitebsk region increased from 304.5 thousand to 337.6 thousand units, or by 10.8%, from 2013. At the same time, emissions from road transport in this period decreased from 77.7 thousand to 30.0 thousand tons, or by 61.4%. The reason for the reduction in emissions is the results of the modernization of oil refineries, their production of motor fuel with ultra-low sulfur content, corresponding to the EURO-5 class, the cessation of sales of "Normal-80" gasoline at gas stations in 2013, the renewal of the vehicle fleet with an increase in the share of vehicles of ecological classes 4, 5 and higher, and the intensification of the use of electric transport. Emissions of pollutants from road transport are regulated by the requirement to undergo state technical inspection; additionally, emissions from road transport of economic entities are controlled by environmental protection agency laboratories. An annual republican competition is held to reduce emissions from mechanical vehicles, in which organizations operating more than 25 units of road transport participate. The criteria for participants in the competition are: how many units of road transport have been purchased; what class; how much fuel has been consumed; how many units have been converted to compressed natural and liquefied gas; how many units have been purchased that run on electricity. The constantly expanding urban cycling infrastructure and the increased use of bicycles and other types of eco-friendly personal mobility transport by city residents contribute to the reduction of emissions from road transport. However, last year, more than 36% of pollutants entering the atmospheric air in the Vitebsk region came from mobile sources. Emissions from road transport are a set of toxic elements formed from engine exhaust, wear products of mechanical parts, tires, and road surfaces. It is estimated that for every 15,000 km traveled by one car, more than 2 tons of fuel are burned and about 30 tons of air are consumed, while about 700 kg of carbon monoxide, 400 kg of nitrogen dioxide, 230 kg of hydrocarbons, and a number of other pollutants are emitted into the atmosphere. Chemical compounds in exhaust gases adversely affect the human respiratory and cardiovascular systems, cause weakening of immunity, which leads to exacerbation of chronic diseases. And this is with the normal operation of internal combustion engines. Normal exhaust gases are practically colorless: that is why the plume behind most cars is almost invisible. If a car "smokes," it is a clear sign of abnormal engine operation. Regardless of the color and intensity of the smoke, this symptom should never be ignored. Understanding that in modern conditions it is simply impossible to completely abandon cars, every citizen of our country must understand that by controlling the quality of exhaust gases of their personal car, they can significantly affect the quality of atmospheric air in their region, the air we breathe every day. Traditionally, the international campaign "World Car-Free Day," which is held annually on September 22, is supported in the Republic of Belarus. Car-Free Day is organized differently in various cities around the world, but with a common goal – to reduce the number of cars on the streets. The benefit for society as a whole is a day without traffic jams and help for the environment.