How UK motorists are reluctant to become greener on the road

By The Admiral on May 19, 2014 in Consumer, Travel & Transport

From recycling to using our bags for life at the supermarket, Britain certainly seems to be doing its bit for the environment. Of course, one of the biggest contributors to pollution and damage to our environment is the car. Many people depend on their cars to make it through their day, whether it’s to get to work, pick the kids up from school or for running errands.

A recent survey by Truck Locator revealed that while a number of people around the UK are doing their bit for the environment by getting public transport, walking or cycling to work, others are merely contributing to the problem.

Long-distance journeys

When asked about their preferred method of transport for long distance journeys, over half of those taking part in the survey said that they would prefer to drive rather than take any other form of transport.

With 52% of the vote, driving took preference over and above more eco-friendly transport (such as taking the train). In the East Midlands, over 60% of those taking part in the survey said that they would drive when making a long distance journey.

The survey also found that Seat owners were more likely than any other car owner to use their car to travel on a long distance journey. In addition, Seat drivers were also found to be the most likely to use their car for driving short distances, even distances of 1 mile or less, rather than walk.

The daily commute

As for those travelling shorter distances on a regular basis such as the daily commute to their place of work, the majority of those polled said that they didn’t use a car for their journey to and from work. The survey discovered that only 38% use a car to get to their place of work on a regular basis.

Women were also found to be 10% less likely than men to drive to work, travel to meetings or for any other work purpose. Only 33% of women used a car for work, whereas men were found to be the most likely to use their car for work, taking 44% of the vote.

Another finding was that younger people are more likely to choose driving to work than taking any other form of transport. Of those polled, the 18-24 year olds took 51% of the vote when it comes to using a car for the daily commute. The survey found that the chance of people using their car for work, reduced significantly with each subsequent age group.