Policy

20 Apr 09

Oxford researchers have found the number of cars has jumped by almost a third in the last decade

Forget about buses and train – according to a new report, Britain is a car-reliant nation. The report ‘The Car in British Society’ produced by Oxford University in collaboration with a team of leading transport academics shows that the number of cars has jumped by almost a third over the last decade. Despite a rise in cars from 22.7 milllion to 29.6 million, the population grew by only 4 per cent to 60.6 million over the same period.

The report, commissioned by the Royal Automobile Club Foundation (RAC), shows the biggest recent growth in ownership seen amongst the poor and older people.

Lead researcher Dr Karen Lucas, from the Transport Studies Unit in the School of Geography and the Environment, said: ‘Our research suggests that most people can not envisage a future without their cars and many would go to considerable lengths to continue using their cars. The current policy debates about reducing car use, through road pricing and personal car allowances, do not fully consider the impacts that this might have on people’s lives, especially for those on low incomes or with limited options for alternative modes of travel. We hope this study will go some way towards encouraging a more realistic and robust analysis of the economics and social implications of such policy decisions.’

Despite the huge growth in vehicle numbers, around half of all drivers do less than 5,000 miles annually showing car ownership does not necessarily equal high levels of car use. Car use accounts for eight per cent of all trips under half a mile in length, 78 per cent of all trips of two to three miles, and 80 per cent of all trips of five miles and over.

The study shows that 45 per cent of people say although they are willing and able to reduce their car use, generally they prefer using the car to public transport. So-called ‘soft’ transport policy, including measures like tele-working and car-sharing schemes trialled in three areas of England, has resulted in an average reduction of car use by 12 per cent– not enough to have a sufficient effect on overall carbon emissions, suggest the report.

Other key findings are that 70 per cent of adults now have driving licences, and two thirds of all trips are by car. The report suggests that there is likely to be a big increase in social exclusion if people, especially those from low-income households, are forced off the road by a one-size fits all blanket approach to reducing car usage.