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  1. Survey on Fuel Prices

    Posted on

    Fuel prices

    (new records set – impact is biting)

    from the AA

    Three quarters of respondents are cutting back on spending and/or driving because of rising fuel prices.

    Compared with 2007:

    • 31% say they travel less by car
    • 16% say they have cut back on other expenditure, and
    • 29% say they have done both.

    Apart from driving, the main area for saving is on entertainment – mainly trips to cinema and restaurants.

    Panelists think that the government is most responsible for fuel price rises, followed by oil companies and oil producing countries.

    While 12% blame city traders, only 1% blame individuals owning filling stations.

    Over 80% think there should be a body charged with monitoring the market to ensure fair prices.

    72% agree that fuel retailers may not pass on all of any reduction in fuel tax that a fuel duty stabiliser may bring.

  2. New Survey from AA

    Posted on

    21 June 2011

    The AA's Great British Motorist report looks at motoring opinion since the start of the Coalition Government.

    Potholes, parking and lack of traffic police alongside strong views on speed cameras, speed limits and speed awareness courses have been some of the critical issues on this year's Populus agenda, tracking the views from 150,000 members.

    Some 200 questions have been asked, ranging from serious motoring issues like drink drive limits (the majority support lower limits) to the best song to drive to ('Bat out of hell').

    Fuel prices

    Soaring fuel prices are rammed home as one of the big challenges facing the coalition government in its first year, according to new research. The proportion of drivers affected by record pump prices has leapt from 63% at Christmas to 76% now.

    With just under half still blaming the Government for the high cost of fuel and a quarter blaming oil companies, the relevance of research as the barometer of driver opinion across the full range of motoring issues over the past 12 months is clear.

    Comment

    According to Edmund King, AA President, "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. Our research shows that the majority of drivers supported a lower drink/drive limit and they felt that less frequent MOTs could hinder safety.

    "The cost of fuel is top of drivers' concerns. The number of driver's adversely affected by fuel prices is now running at an all time high of 76%.

    "Despite the Government ditching the proposed fuel duty increase at the budget, 42% of drivers still blame the Government for high fuel prices. If the Government really wants to get the motorist on board their policies should reflect mainstream motoring opinion."

  3. Bus and Train Service see's Profit as Motorists struggle to afford cars

    Posted on

    Bus and train operator Go-Ahead has reported that profits have been given a further boost as more hard-pressed motorists opt to use the company’s services.

    Go-Ahead, which has a fleet of 3,800 buses and is part of a joint venture responsible for Southern, Southeastern and London Midland rail services, said its buses represented “better value” than travelling by car.