Motorists driving less over fuel

21/06/2011

By Shane Gladstone

A survey has revealed that rising fuel prices have led to more than three in four motorists curbing their spending and driving less.

The poll, by AA/Populus, found that slightly fewer than 50 per cent of respondents felt the Government was to blame for the rising cost of filling up.

Latest figures show the number of people hit by the rising petrol and diesel prices has gone from 63 per cent in December to 76 per cent now.

Some 31 per cent of drivers are going out in their car less, and 16 per cent have curbed their spending compared to figures for 2007.

But 29 per cent of drivers have cut both the amount of time spent behind the wheel and the amount of cash they are spending.

The survey found that people were holding back on spending by going to see fewer films and not eating out so much.

The poll found that oil companies were next in line for motorists wrath when it came to attributing blame for the rising cost of fuel.

AA president Edmund King said: "Our AA/Populus panel reflects the views of motorists.

“The coalition Government has talked about ending the war on the motorist yet some of their actions appear at odds with motoring opinion, such as not lowering the drink-drive limit or suggesting less-frequent MOTs."