The vast majority of older drivers are not prepared to ditch their petrol, diesel or electric cars and rely on public transport, according to a new study by the RAC. Analysis by the breakdown experts has revealed that motorists’ dependency on their vehicles increases with age. 

A staggering two-thirds (65%) of under-25s say they would struggle to adjust to life without a vehicle on their drive. This goes up to 77% among slightly older road users between the ages of 25 and 44. This jumps up to 84% among those between 45 and 64 before rising again to 86% for road users over the age of 65. 

RAC’s head of policy, Simon Williams said the study revealed that the car still “remains central to so many people’s lives”.

Simon added: “Car dependency also seems to increase with age. Young people clearly have a desire and, in many cases, a need to drive, but the convenience and freedom it brings seems to become more important as the decades pass.

“While the current Government is very focused on improving public transport across the board, we suspect the car will always be essential to many people’s lives.”

According to the poll, just  29% of all drivers believe public transport is an attractive alternative to using a vehicle. 

The RAC analysis found that a whopping 81% of road users say they would find it very difficult to adjust their lifestyle to being without a vehicle. 

Simon added: “While those in more rural areas are most car-dependent, half of those in urban centres also don’t see public transport as a viable alternative for their daily commute.

“What’s more, while there’s a definite willingness to make greater use of alternatives to the car, driving is still the mode of choice when it comes to running errands or making leisure trips, possibly because drivers see it as the most time and cost-effective option.”