Green Daily

In an effort to curb smog and pollution during the Olympic games, Beijing officials instituted a driving ban that allowed only limited numbers of cars on the road on certain days.

Based on license plate numbers, only certain cars were allowed to be on the road on certain weekdays. This improved air quality by removing 120,000 tonnes of vehicle related pollution over a two month time period. After the Olympics left town, officials lifted the driving ban and surprise, surprise, the pollution was back.

Last week we heard it was coming and today officials put the law back in place for a six month period, beginning today. The driving ban applies to government vehicles as well, though public service vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, police cars and taxis are exempt. The ban removes up to 800,000 cars from the road on a daily basis.

Through an online forum, Beijing officials asked opinions from residents before implementing the ban again, with nearly half in support of extending it. I'm guessing the half with cars were not so supportive.

[Via gas 2.0]