Soaring fuel-prices forcing Britons to alter their driving behaviour

More than one in five motorists have been driven off the road in the past year by soaring fuel prices, either ditching the car completely or switching to more fuel-efficient transport new research from breakdown provider Green Flag shows.

The breakdown cover provider launched the study after seeing a 40 per cent rise in fuel-related call-outs in January. Since then, prices have continued to climb hitting an average 136.61p** per litre for unleaded compared with averages of 111.49p in 2010.

The study shows that 14 per cent of motorists have given up their cars in the past year, while another 7 per cent have swapped them for motorbikes or scooters.

The research also shows that drivers across the UK are reacting to the ongoing rise in petrol prices:

• 52 per cent say they have changed how they drive in the past year to save money

• 58 per cent of motorists have cut their average speed in order to conserve fuel

• 46 per cent now habitually shop around to find the least expensive petrol station

• 42 per cent saying they now walk to destinations more often than driving

• 14 per cent of drivers plan to either sell their cars or switch to more fuel-efficient cars as petrol prices continue to rise

Henry Topham, head of Green Flag, said: “Rising petrol prices are having a massive impact on household budgets and consequently having a dramatic impact on driver behaviours. For many drivers, owning a vehicle is a necessity rather than a luxury, so they are being forced into driving more fuel economically or switching to more fuel efficient modes of transportation in the face of rising prices".

Added by: Natalie Wallis
Deputy Editor