New research from the RAC reveals a concerning trend among UK drivers, particularly younger motorists, who are compromising on essential car maintenance to save money amid the rising cost of living.
A staggering one in five drivers under the age of 44 have admitted to driving illegally by either skipping their annual MOT or failing to replace worn-out tyres. Additionally, one in ten drivers of all ages have taken similar shortcuts to reduce costs.
The RAC warns that these cost-saving measures can have serious consequences, including breakdowns, accidents, and legal penalties. Regular servicing and maintenance are crucial for ensuring road safety, and neglecting these can lead to costly repairs and potential hazards.
The report also highlights that 59% of drivers have faced unexpected repair costs in the past year, with many struggling to cover these expenses. This is particularly concerning for younger drivers, with 45% of those under 25 finding it difficult to afford unexpected repairs.
Source: RAC
Steve
If the government were actually serious and reducing road deaths and serious injuries, they should allocate proper budgets and work together with police forces across the UK and crackdown on unsafe vehicles and those individuals that shouldn’t be driving them in the first place. Random and regular stop checks where vehicles are checked for MOT, tax, insurance, driving licence, condition of the tyres and obvious illegal modifications (e.g. excessively loud exhausts, dark window tints, tinted lights, misrepresented or altered number plates, the list goes on…)
Bob Elliot
Yep….