RAC Report on Motoring 2016

RAC Report on Motoring 2016

1.0 What’s on motorists’ minds?

1.2 Road safety There is growing concern among motorists about the irresponsible and potentially highly dangerous behaviour of other road users. More than two in five (41%) of motorists say that drivers using handheld mobile phones – whether to make and receive calls, send text messages, or browse the internet – is one of their top four concerns, up from a third (34%) in 2015 – a higher percentage than for any other issue. And 13% of drivers say that use of handheld phones by other motorists is their number-one concern in 2016 – only the condition and maintenance of local roads (14%) is cited as a bigger issue.

There has also been a rise in overall concern about other drivers breaking traffic laws: 23% say this is a top- four concern, up from 19% last year. Overall concern about drink-driving is high but has fallen (22% now cite this as a top-four concern, down from 29% in 2015). Likewise, concern about driving under the influence of illegal drugs or banned prescription medication is down by a small amount (total concern is 17% compared with 19% last year).

“Concern among motorists over drink-driving has fallen this year, even though the number of deaths involving a driver over the limit has remained at the same level. It may simply be that motorists are more aware of other issues, such as mobile phones. However, drink-driving remains a major killer – some 240 deaths a year – and must remain a priority for road safety.” DAVID DAVIES Executive Director Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety

22