Title

The car in British society

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2009

Subject Area

Location - UK, Mobility - Independence, Modes of Transport - Car - Driving

Abstract

This report is about the main findings of a recent study funded by the RAC Foundation and carried out by a small group of academics and consultants from different organisations. The main aim of the study was to look at the role played by the car in peoples lives in Great Britain, drawing on a literature review, a fresh analysis of the National Travel Survey and a limited programme of focus groups and professional interviews. The study found that the car is now firmly embedded in most peoples lives, and that while car ownership continues to increase, the historical growth in car use seems to have ended. Recent increases in national car traffic are associated with growth in the adult population rather than per capita increases in use. The study also investigated who uses cars - and who does not - and why, and how people would be affected by pressures to reduce car use, either in response to renewed increases in fuel prices, or policy pressures to meet CO2 reduction targets.