RAC Report on Motoring 2016

Executive summary

Motorists are becoming more worried about other drivers using their phones. Road safety is invariably a major concern in the Report on Motoring, but this year’s research has identified a further significant increase in the number of motorists who are worried about other drivers using handheld mobile phones to make calls or check messages and notifications. More than two-fifths of those questioned (41%) said this was one of their biggest concerns, a sharp rise on the 34% recorded in 2015. Worryingly, a significant minority of motorists (31%) admit to having used a handheld phone to make or receive calls while driving at some point in the past 12 months. Meanwhile, a fifth of drivers (20%) think it is safe to text or check social media while they are sitting in stationary traffic , despite this being against the law.

Falling fuel prices have reduced the financial pressures on motorists. Falls in petrol and diesel prices in 2015 and the early months of 2016 mean that most motorists now face lower vehicle running costs. Only 7% of drivers say fuel prices are their top concern this year, down from 10% 12 months ago. However, the Report also found that there has been little change in overall expenditure on fuel, which suggests that many motorists are simply taking advantage of lower forecourt prices to use their cars more. Concern about the cost of insurance has increased and is now number one for 7% of motorists . Indeed, the cost of insurance is now a greater financial concern than the cost of fuel.

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