More than a third of UK drivers – the equivalent of 14.7m drivers – say they are more dependent on using their car than 12 months ago, data released as part of the latest RAC report on motoring shows.
Increased dependency on cars is up from 33 per cent in 2018, and from 27 per cent a year earlier, and is now at its highest proportion in the past seven years.
Just 14 per cent of drivers say they have become less dependent than a year ago.
At a time when the government and local councils are keen for drivers to use their cars less frequently to improve air quality and cut congestion, the RAC believes the findings are a stark reminder of the reality for many people, especially those who live outside the biggest cities – that for good or bad, millions of people remain enormously dependent on their cars for many types of journeys.
“The car remains an essential means of getting about”
RAC data insight spokesman Rod Dennis said: “These findings present the stark reality for so many people in the UK – that for good or bad, in 2020 the car remains an essential means of getting about whether that is for commuting, dropping off and collecting children or going to visit family and friends.
“The car remains an integral part of so many people’s lives, whether that is for carrying heavy shopping, transporting family members or going to visit friends in all the corners of the UK.
“While the car might be the obvious choice for many people’s journeys, especially for those who have already invested a lot of money in buying or leasing one, it is also clear just how frustrated many drivers are with the lack of decent alternatives for some of their trips.”
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