Unhappy New Year as motorists fear they won’t be able to afford to drive
Millions of motorists fear they will be priced off the road this year, according to a poll by AXA car insurance.
Four in ten motorists say they will use the car less in 2012 if
the costs associated with driving continue to rise, according to
AXA's motoring census of 2011 - and one in 13 have already been
forced to stop.
Almost half (44%) admit they enjoy driving less than they used to,
largely down to the cost (68%). This is striking in comparison to
2010 figures, when cost clearly had less impact on motorists'
habits (just 38% admitted they enjoyed driving less than they used
to, and 38% blamed the cost).
Of course, in the last year motorists have seen fuel prices soar
from 127.7 pence a litre of unleaded in January to a record high of
137.43 per litre in May, with warnings of a possible145p next
summer*. Indeed, if petrol prices rise to £1.50-£1.60, one in eight
say they will have to seriously consider driving less or even stop
driving, while a further one in eight will be stopped by any
increase to £2.01-£2.20.
Moreover, it is not just fuel drivers are worried about: 16%
said they will have to consider driving less or even stop driving
if insurance premiums go up.
And some drivers are so concerned about the costs of driving
that they would consider breaking the law! Almost one in ten
said they would drive a car with no insurance, 6% would drive
without taxing their car and 3% said they would be happy to drive
away from a petrol station without paying for fuel. Some are
even thinking of charging their friends and family for lifts!
Other findings from the motor census include:
- Driving in snow is the most stressful scenario, with one in two
putting it first, followed by unfamiliar roads at 46% and fog
45%.
- Ford drivers are regarded as good drivers, with 15% of the
votes (a majority). BMW drivers, on the other hand, are likely to
be bad/arrogant drivers (29%)
- The most frustrating thing for many motorists is the cost of
fuel (66%) and the increase in fuel tax (51%).
- People use their cars mostly for commuting to work (33%),
followed by collecting the children (18%).
- 43% would like to see a cap on fuel tax in 2012.
Amanda Edwards at AXA says: "This census offers a bleak picture
for drivers this year. What is of great concern is how many feel
they will be forced off the roads this year by rising costs.
However, it's heartening to see that few will go without car
insurance to save money, which is of course a legal requirement.
We'd be delighted to help motorists save on their insurance by
keeping costs low, but sadly fraudulent claims mean our premiums
are forced up."
*According to Brian Madderson, Chairman of the petrol retailers
group, RMI Petrol
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