RAC Report on Motoring 2016

RAC Report on Motoring 2016

1.0 What’s on motorists’ minds?

Transparency over the prices charged for fuel at motorway

Moreover, initial results from this trial have been disappointing, with little if any reduction in fuel prices reported across the motorway service stations involved. Lower petrol and diesel prices have had little significant impact on how much motorists feel they are spending on fuel: just 31% of those surveyed say they are spending more on filling up than 12 months ago compared with 32% who say their expenditure is falling. The respective figures in 2015 were 31% and 33%. However, lower pump prices may simply result in some motorists using their cars more, thus offsetting any benefit of the price reduction.

services has also been an important issue facing drivers in recent years. Progress in tackling this problem has been frustratingly slow, despite firm commitments from both the previous coalition Government and the current Conservative administration to take action. More than three years ago, the Office of Fair Trading recommended installing signs on the motorway network to show fuel prices at upcoming service stations: this proposal was intended to allow drivers to shop around more easily, thereby increasing competition between retailers and driving down what were thought to be excessively high prices. The coalition originally promised that a trial of such signs on the M5 near Bristol would begin in early 2015. But a succession of delays meant the pilot scheme was not introduced until March this year.

34 % of motorists say their expenditure on fuel is falling 31 % of motorists surveyed say they are spending more on filling up than 12 months ago

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