Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Car Dependence Persists for UK Commuters Amidst Rising Motoring Expenses
A recent survey reveals that two in five Britons depend on their vehicles for their daily commute to work. This comes as the Prime Minister acknowledged the ‘extreme difficulty’ faced by drivers with ‘modest incomes’ due to increasing motoring costs.
The RAC, which conducted the poll involving 2,691 UK residents, stated that despite governmental efforts to enhance public transport, the research underscores the continued significance of cars in people’s lives.
This is particularly pronounced in rural areas, where the survey indicated that 70% of residents have no alternative to driving to their workplaces.
Conversely, buses were considered a practical commuting option by only 31% of respondents overall. This figure rises to half among individuals residing in town and city centers, where public transport infrastructure is generally more developed.
Among suburban drivers, only a quarter deemed bus travel a viable option for getting to work.
Indeed, a significant 81% of survey participants expressed that adjusting to a lifestyle without a personal vehicle would be very challenging, highlighting the enduring necessity of private cars in Britain.
Two in five Britons rely on their cars to get to work, as the Prime Minster recognises the hardship of escalating motoring costs for those with limited means.
RAC Survey Highlights Consistent Car Reliance
Despite ongoing pledges to improve public transport services, the RAC noted that the proportion of individuals (four in five) who would resist living without their own car has remained ‘remarkably consistent’ since the organization began tracking this sentiment in 1989.
The poll findings emerged following comments from Kier Starmer earlier in the week, who emphasized the government’s need to ‘reduce the cost of motoring‘, describing it as a ‘lifeline’ for many.
The RAC’s research further revealed that this reliance intensifies with age.
The percentage of drivers anticipating difficulty adjusting to life without a car increased from 65% among those under 25, to 77% for individuals aged 25 to 44, 84% for those aged 45 to 64, and soared to 86% for license holders over 65.
Over half of all drivers (53%) admitted they would consider using their cars less frequently if public transport options were more convenient, dependable, and affordable.
Just half of city and town centre residents consider buses for commuting, according to the RAC’s poll.
Commuting and Essential Journeys Dominated by Car Use
Analyzing typical journey types, nearly two-thirds (63%) of drivers consistently commute by car, while 57% routinely drive for grocery shopping.
Two out of five drivers stated they always use a car for transporting children to school, nurseries, or extracurricular activities, and the same proportion drive to and from airports.
A quarter of drivers consistently use cars when traveling to mainline railway stations.
In contrast, the percentage of drivers opting for walking, cycling, or public transport for these journeys remains minimal.
Only 8% of commuters utilize these alternative modes, and a mere 3% do so for grocery shopping.
The poll results were released after Kier Starmer highlighted the government’s responsibility to ‘lower motoring costs‘, crucial for many people.
Expert Insights on Car Dependency
RAC policy head Simon Williams commented: ‘Our research demonstrates the enduring centrality of cars in numerous individuals’ lives.’
‘While rural residents exhibit the highest car dependence, even half of those in urban centers do not view public transport as a feasible alternative for their daily commute.’
‘Younger demographics express both a desire and, frequently, a necessity to drive. However, the convenience and autonomy associated with car ownership appear to gain prominence as individuals age.’
‘Despite the current Government’s strong emphasis on enhancing public transport broadly, we anticipate that cars will remain indispensable for a substantial portion of the population.’