Drivers say no to strain of the train

The willingness of motorists to abandon their cars in favour of public transport slumped to a 13-year low, even before the Hatfield train crash, says the RAC.

The willingness of motorists to abandon their cars in favour of public transport slumped to a 13-year low, even before the Hatfield train crash, says the RAC.

In a report that will make grim reading for transport ministers, 86 per cent of drivers said they would find it very difficult to adjust to giving up their cars. Only 36 per cent said they would be prepared to use their vehicles less if there were better bus, tram and train services, an eight-year low.

Motorists in London and south-east England were found to be the most dependent on their cars and the least dependent were in the north of England. More worryingly, 15 per cent, four million motorists, admitted nearly falling asleep at the wheel in the previous 12 months.

The 1,378 motorists were interviewed by the RAC before tens of thousands of commuters abandoned trains amid the massive rail repair operation caused by Hatfield.