Hitchhiking and carsharing banned over coronavirus fears

Exclusive: AA warns that prohibiting carsharing could put more commuters at risk

On the road again? Not while the coronavirus pandemic continues (Simon Calder)

For the first time ever, hitchhiking and carsharing have been banned in the UK.

Under the latest government regulations for dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, travellers are warned: “You can only travel in a private vehicle alone, or with members of your household.”

The effect is to prohibit hitchhiking anywhere in Britain. Previously, thumbing a ride was illegal only on motorways.

A Twitter poll conducted for The Independent found that four out of five self-selecting respondents said it would be irresponsible to hitchhike in the present circumstances.

Among drivers, 82 per cent agreed, while for non-drivers the figure fell to 71 per cent.

But the leading motoring organisation has expressed concern that banning carsharing could increase risk, if it meant more people use public transport.

The president of the AA, Edmund King, said: “Being unable to car share with anyone outside your family could be problematic particularly for car sharing commuters.

“Many workers who are unable to drive or don’t own cars, don’t want to use public transport and can’t walk or cycle due to the distance of their commutes, have now had another practical option of travel removed.

“Surely it would be safer travelling with one other person in the rear seat diagonally behind the driver, possibly with face coverings, rather than using over-crowded public transport?”

The AA is to raise the issue with the government.