Every year on September 22, World Car-Free Day is observed in many countries. Carrying ecological significance, this day aims to encourage walking, cycling, and the use of public transport.
Sea-news.az reports that the first World Car-Free Day was organized in Switzerland in 1973. At that time, the country’s authorities called on citizens to refrain from using cars for four days due to the fuel crisis. The first nationwide campaign regarding the rejection of automobiles was held in Great Britain. A similar campaign was organized in France a year later.
Separate campaigns restricting car use in various European countries continued until 1997. Previously celebrated in only two cities, this day is now reportedly joined by more than 100 million people across approximately 1,500 cities worldwide.
Considering that completely giving up cars is not feasible in modern times, city and organization leaders strive at least once a year to draw attention to the environmental and social problems caused by motor transport.
The growing number of cars is an urgent problem not only for major cities but on a global scale. In addition to the negative impact of automotive transport on the atmosphere and environment, road traffic accidents also cause loss of human life.
Currently, various measures are being implemented in major cities of many countries to reduce car usage. In some cities, special campaigns and events are organized in connection with World Car-Free Day.
According to recent data in Azerbaijan, 1,950,000 cars are registered. More than 20 years have passed since the manufacture of 45.5 percent of these vehicles—amounting to 885,683 cars. The high number of old vehicles is noted as one of the factors negatively affecting atmospheric air quality, especially in large cities and residential areas with intensive traffic.
One of the effective means toward reducing the environmental impact of transport is increasing the number of hybrid and electric-powered vehicles. Over 500 electric vehicles were imported into Azerbaijan last year.
The exemptions applied starting this year regarding the customs duty exemption for hybrid and electric vehicles are expected to enable the expansion of cleaner transport vehicle usage.
