Petrol prices forcing changes in motoring habits

Petrol prices forcing changes in motoring habits

Nearly four-fifths of drivers have changed the amount they drive in reaction to escalating petrol prices.

This is according to new research from Hastings Direct, which also found that the cost of petrol has around 31 per cent of British drivers considering a hybrid or electric car for their next purchase.

Two-thirds of those polled say they mainly use their car for social purposes, but as many as one in five believe they will have to give up their vehicle should the price of petrol reach £2 per litre.

Car use has also fallen over all, with 74 per cent of those surveyed confirming they have cut down on the amount of miles they cover each week.

Tobias van der Meer, managing director at Hastings Direct, said it is clear the pressure that high petrol prices are putting on motorists.

"Taking the right actions - reducing mileage and driving safely - can help motorists cut the cost of their insurance and their fuel bills, but ultimately motorists cannot and will not keep be able to keep on paying higher and higher petrol prices," he added.