RAC Report on Motoring 2016

RAC Report on Motoring 2016

Executive summary

Drivers are being increasingly affected by congestion and slower journey times. A rise in road-traffic volumes over 2015 – itself a result of lower fuel prices and improved economic conditions – has resulted in more motorists complaining of higher congestion levels. Over a quarter (27%) of those questioned say congestion and longer journey times are a top-four concern in 2016, well up on the 18% recorded last year. These concerns are greatest among those living in the South East of England. Seven in 10 motorists (71%) say that the time taken to complete local journeys is becoming harder to predict, while a very similar proportion (70%) say the same about trips on major roads. The availability of parking has also become a greater concern in 2016: 14% of motorists say this is one of their top four concerns this year, compared with 8% in 2015.

There is a growing trend for drivers to break the speed limits on country roads and in urban 20mph zones. The 2016 Report shows a worrying trend with more motorists admitting to exceeding speed limits on country roads and in the growing number of urban 20mph zones. While the number of drivers who admit to speeding in general has not increased significantly over the past 12 months, the percentage of motorists who admit to speeding on country roads – which are where the majority of fatal accidents occur – has risen from 38% to 48% over the last five years . The proportion who say they have broken the speed limit on 20mph roads has risen from 38% in 2011 to 46%. As in previous years, there is still a strong majority of drivers (66%) who believe the 70mph motorway speed limit should be raised to 80mph at least.

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