Cost of Motoring falls 18% over 20 years
Written by admin on Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 in motoring.
A report released today indicates that contrary to popular belief the cost of motoring has fallen over the last two decades despite a 210% increase in the cost of fuel.
The report, compiled by the RAC says that since 1988 the cost of motoring in real terms has fallen by as much as 18% thanks to cheaper cars and better build quality, meaning fewer repairs are required on them.
Out of the 1,116 people who were surveyed, 60% believed the rising cost of motoring to be the biggest change in motoring over the last twenty years.
The report compiled was the RAC’s twentieth, which also reflected the growing menace of road rage as roads have become more congested and driven angrier as a result.
Over 30% of those surveyed as part of the report said that they had been a victim of road rage to the extend where they felt physically threatened, with half admitting swearing or gesturing in the other direction.
“It is worrying that millions of motorists are victims of a driving behaviour [road rage] that didn’t even have a name 20 years ago.” - RAC motoring strategist Adrian Tink
“This worrying behaviour becomes downright dangerous when you consider they are behind the wheel of a tonne-and-a-half of metal.” - RAC motoring strategist Adrian Tink
Other conclusions the report drew include:
- Some 92% believe we are more reliant on our cars than in 1988
- Of all households, 75% have a car, while seven out of 10 British adults carry a licence
- The number of households with a car has gone from 14m in 1988 to 19.5m - an increase of 39%
- Local speed limits of 30mph are accepted by 66% of drivers, but over half want to see motorway limits raised from 70mph to 80mph
- The number of women drivers on UK roads has gone from 10.2m to 15.3m