Rural dwellers claim rising petrol prices are driving them off the road

Date: 01.07.2011

The soaring cost of petrol and diesel is forcing drivers from rural areas to reduce visits to family and friends living elsewhere, according to a recent survey from the RAC.

Prices at the pumps reached 136p per litre for petrol and 140p for diesel in some places last week, and drivers are feeling the pinch.

Combined with the rising cost of insurance premiums, car owners are struggling to maintain their transportation habits.

Those living in rural areas have been hit worst, due to the higher average distance travelled to work or to visit family, and the lack of other means of transportation that urban dwellers can take advantage of, such as buses or trains. This has meant that, while people living in the countryside may want to decrease their car usage, for many, it is just not a viable option.

The survey also stated that 75% of all UK car owners have been forced to alter their driving habits in some way, by either reducing the number or lengths of journeys taken, or reducing spending in other areas such as leisure and entertainment.

Tesco has stolen the headlines in recent days for its price reductions on petrol and diesel - by up to 3p a litre in some areas. The leading supermarket chain says that it hopes the move will leave its customers more money to spend in store.

Whether decreased car usage around the country will result in a reduced number of road accidents and compensation claims remains to be seen.

<< Go Back