48 / 96
3.0
The state of our roads
Motorists are more sanguine
about the state of major roads and
motorways, but with an increase in
traffic volumes recorded over the
past 12 months, it is no surprise
that congestion and the availability
of parking have become more
significant concerns.
And while there is general
agreement that the authorities
are doing their best to minimise
the delays caused by accidents,
more could be done to keep
motorists informed about the
impact of major incidents.
3.1
Ongoing problems with
local roads
The condition and maintenance
of local roads is the top concern
among the largest percentage
of motorists once again in 2016.
Of those questioned, 14% say this
is their number-one concern, up
from 10% last year.
Almost four in 10 drivers (38%) say
the state of local roads is one of
their top four concerns this year:
this also represents a sharp
increase on last year (30%).
Just over half of drivers (51%
compared with 50% in 2015) say
the condition of the roads in their
area has deteriorated over the
past 12 months, overwhelmingly
as a result of potholes (cited by 97%
of respondents). However, roadside
litter (25%) and poor grass and/or
foliage maintenance (20%) are also
named by many as problems.
Only 9% of motorists think that
local roads have improved since
2015 – this represents a very small
drop from last year’s 10% who
thought the condition of local
roads had improved over the
previous 12 months. In terms of
demographics, older drivers and
those in rural locations are more
likely to think that the condition
of roads has deteriorated.
By way of contrast, a majority
of motorists (61%) think that the
condition of the motorways and
dual carriageways they use has not
changed over the past 12 months
(up from 58% in 2015). And only 7%
think they have improved against 9%
who took this view last year, perhaps
indicating it is still too early for
motorists to see the benefits of the
Road Investment Strategy in terms of
the condition of the existing network.
RAC Report on Motoring 2016
48