British drivers plan to consume less petrol in the new year, according to a new survey released by the AA. The poll of 20,181 members revealed that 26% of drivers have resolved to drive more economically, and 12% will simply drive less often, during 2012.
The focus on reducing petrol costs is common across class barriers. 37% professionals and senior managers said they would drive less often or more economically, rising to 40% for groups including skilled and unskilled manual and service workers, pensioners and the unemployed. By comparison, traditional resolutions such as driving more safely, keeping to the speed limit and driving less aggressively were adopted respectively by just 5%, 4% and 3% of respondents.
“Drivers are clearly being forced into cutting their motoring by the high price of fuel and, for many, this will impose difficult constraints on their lives. We have reached the stage where motoring is once again only easily affordable for the better off and, with the car still the mainstay means of travel for the majority, that is depressing news at the start of 2012,” said the AA’s Head of Public Affairs, Paul Watters.
“The impact of high fuel prices on ordinary drivers is staggering with just over a quarter of those choosing a new-year resolution saying they would drive more economically and a further one in 10 intending to drive less. This far exceeded the 12% going for road safety-related resolutions, perhaps because the cost of motoring threatens the way they live their lives.”
UK Petrol sales have already fallen dramatically in 2011, with volumes for the first nine months of the year down 2.4bn litres from 2008.
PetrolWorld 05012012
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