1.3 million 'have quit driving'

07/07/11

By Kevin Dixon

Motoring has become unaffordable for more than a million people in the UK, according to new research.

Sainsbury's Car Insurance said soaring fuel costs have contributed to 1.3 million people giving up driving in the past year.

The study revealed the average motorist is now spending £1,720.69 per year at the pump - a 22.9 per cent year-on-year increase.

Three quarters of car owners have also resorted to changing their driving habits in the last 12 months, in the hope of saving money.

Some changes to motoring habits include an increase in people who have stopped filling up tanks fully, which 26 per cent admit to doing, and instead purchasing specific values of fuel.

Some 45 per cent of motorists - 16.5 million people - are now driving less and 7 per cent have started to car share, the research revealed.

A further 10 per cent - 3.53 million - have downgraded their car for one that is cheaper to run.