Eight million rarely use motorways
A study by the RAC has found eight million of Britain’s drivers rarely use motorways, with 380,000 never using them.
The majority of the drivers claim they do not need to use them, with 79% saying they have no need for them where they live and drive. 6% admit they are just not keen to and 12% say they generally rely on someone else. Among the 1% of drivers surveyed who said they never drive on the motorway, 35% confess they simply don’t like the thought of driving on the motorway.
Those who do not wish to drive on the motorway list a range of reasons for not doing so. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) say it is daunting because of the speed, while 52% feel more at risk of being involved in an accident on motorways than other roads. 42% don’t have the confidence to drive on the motorway, and 32% find motorway driving too monotonous.
The RAC research also revealed there is a willingness among some of those who don’t like driving on the motorway to try to change this, with 29% of those surveyed saying they would be prepared to have a motorway driving lesson.
RAC spokesman Simon Williams said, ‘While there are many parts of the country where our 2,300 miles of motorway don’t stretch to, it is surprising to find out that so many motorists don’t, or won’t, drive on a motorway.
‘Despite motorways statistically being some of our safest roads, many people still seem to rely on partners, friends and family when they need to use one.
‘The message to them has to be: with the right instruction and advice, plenty of care and practice, confidence in motorway driving can easily grow. At the same time, it is also important from a road safety perspective that people drive within their comfort zones so for some it may be best to stick to local roads where they are most confident.’
Statistically, it is estimated motorways are Britain’s safest roads. In the year to September 2015, it is estimated that motorways only accounted for 5.4% of fatalities on Britain’s roads, and 4.7% of injured road casualties.
