F&I Management & Training

More than half of drivers are leaving their cars at home because of the rising cost of fuel, according to an AA poll. Of the 15,300 drivers questioned during the first two weeks of July, 55% said they had made a conscious decision to cut back on car journeys because of the cost of fuel, up from 37% in April. The figure rose to 77% when including those who said they had maintained the same level of car use but had been forced to cut back on other areas of spending because of fuel prices. In April the figure was 64%. AA president Edmund King said he would be sending the findings to Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling to show how families were suffering because of the price of fuel. "The high petrol and diesel prices are affecting three-quarters of the public. For many people the car is an absolute necessity to get to work or the shops, so they have to cut back on other areas of expenditure. "Yet petrol and diesel is still taxed as a luxury with almost 60% of the pump price going to the Chancellor as tax. Ironically, petrol is taxed at a higher rate per litre than real luxuries such as champagne." Another result of high fuel prices is that more motorists are running out of fuel - up 11% year-on-year.

DATED: 30.07.08

FEED: AW