RAC Report on Motoring 2016

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Executive summary
With more than
38 million motorists
in Great Britain1
it is of vital importance
that the country’s
politicians, policymakers,
transport authorities
and motor industry take
their views and concerns
into account when
planning for the future.
The 2016 RAC Report on Motoring
covers a wide range of topics,
from hardy perennials such as the
price of fuel and the state of both
local and major roads, to more
contemporary issues like the
dangers of smartphone use and
motorists’ views on the introduction
of driverless vehicles.
The Report is based on research
conducted with a representative
sample of more than 1,700
motorists around the UK.
As ever, it reveals drivers’ current
attitudes and concerns while also
painting a picture of how and why car
owners’ views are evolving over time.
The key findings in the 2016 Report
are as follows:
The poor condition of local roads is
becoming an even bigger concern.
When asked to identify their top
concern, more motorists (14%) say
the state and maintenance of local
roads than any other matter. Local
roads were also the most common
top concern in 2015, but last year
only 10% of respondents ranked
this issue at number one.
The increase in dissatisfaction is
not a surprise: while ministers
have pledged extra funds both for
filling potholes and preventative
maintenance, the Government’s
own analysis suggests there is a
multi-billion-pound backlog of
repairs that is likely to take many
years to be addressed2.
There is strong support for
Government funding to be ring-fenced
for local road maintenance: 32% of
motorists think this should be the
UK’s top transport investment
priority, while 80% think it should be
a top-five priority. Indeed, almost half
(45%) of drivers say they would be
willing to pay higher levels of vehicle
tax if the revenues were used to
improve roads.
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RAC Report on Motoring 2016