Motorists hit with £1.9 billion increase in commuting costs over the year

16 November 2011
  • Green Flag study reveals average motorist who drives to work spends £1372 a year on parking, fuel, congestion and other driving charges
  • Cost of driving commute up 21 per cent in 12 months; Rail fares rise 6.2 per cent in 2011
  • One in 10 work longer hours to cover the cost of soaring motoring costs


The cost of commuting to and from work for motorists has increased by a staggering £1.9 billion over the past 12 months, according to new figures1 from Green Flag Breakdown.

According to Green Flag’s findings, the cost of driving to work has increased by 21 per cent (£229) over the past 12 months – a percentage increase that significantly overshadows the 6.2 per cent2 rail fare hikes in 2011.

At present, UK motorists spend a staggering £243 million every week on driving to and from the office, with drivers who pay for their own fuel spending roughly £25 per week. Sixteen per cent of those who drive to work also have to cover the cost of parking, an average of £18 per week and Six per cent are hit with congestion charges which average £21 per week.

The findings suggest that for many motorists, absorbing these spiralling costs is no longer financially viable. One in 10 (10 per cent) of those hit by these price hikes say they are putting in extra hours at work specifically to cover the rising cost of their commute and 18 per cent are being forced to cut back on their savings or pension contributions.

Three quarters of those faced with higher costs say they have made changes to their day to day spending and activities in order to compensate. Taking packed lunches to work (40 per cent), spending less on leisure pursuits and going out (40 per cent) and economising at home such as buying cheaper groceries (40 per cent), were the most popular ways of reducing spending to make up for higher travel costs.


Compensating for increasing travel costs                                               


Taking packed lunches to work - 40%    
Reducing spend on leisure activities and going out - 40%
Economising at home (e.g. reducing grocery spend) - 40%
Reducing spend on drinks and snacks - 31%    
Going for fewer drinks with work colleagues - 28%    
Saving less for the future - 28%    
Buying cheaper work attire - 16%    
Spending less on personal stationary - 9%    
Taking home office supplies e.g. milk, toilet roll - 4%


SOURCE: Green Flag, October 2011


Miranda Schunke, spokesperson for Green Flag, said: “Rising living costs are putting many people under financial strain and the increasing cost of motoring plays a significant part in this. Drivers are going to great lengths to absorb these higher costs, with many working longer hours and sacrificing their social lives as a result.

“Unfortunately many people have no other choice than to use their car to get to and from work. If motorists do need to make financial cutbacks, we’d urge them not to cut corners when it comes to safety. Car maintenance, servicing and breakdown cover are an integral part of safe driving and while cutting back on these things may save a few pennies in the short-term, these are the very things that save drivers money in the event that something does go wrong.”

Green Flag has the following tips for drivers to save fuel.

Your car:

  • Reduce unnecessary weight – if there are still items for the charity shop in the boot – take them out! Only buy as much fuel as you need, think F1 – the more fuel on board, the more weight the vehicle is carrying around. Unnecessary equipment such as roof carriers, trailers, tow hitches will use more fuel too.
  • Check all tyres have the correct amount of air, too much or too little can be unsafe and can affect fuel efficiency.
  • Be slick: Reduce external drag by improving the aerodynamics. Keep windows closed and lose the roof rack.
  • Make sure the vehicle is serviced regularly to ensure that it is running in top condition.


You and how you drive:

  • Think boy racer, then do the opposite: drive smoothly, with anticipation; avoid braking, keep the revs down and use the right gear. Lift off the accelerator as often as possible.
  • Turn off air conditioning – though it is better than open windows on motorways. In the winter, the heating will also take power away from the engine making it less efficient.
  • Stay at or below the speed limit and use cruise control on long drives.
  • Plan a journey and avoid traffic jams. Switch off the engine when stationary. Use the Green Flag iPhone app for free traffic updates and visit our website for our free route planner.
  • Tempted by a hybrid or a new ‘fuel efficient car’? If the driver is not prepared to change their ways then it will not make a lot of difference.
  • In an emergency, if the vehicle does run out of fuel – call Green Flag!


Notes to Editors:

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Simon Henrick
Green Flag Press Office
Tel: 020 8313 5965
Email: simon.henrick@rbs.co.uk 


Vision Critical interviewed a random sample of 1,095 drivers aged 18+ via online omnibus in October 2011 for Green Flag. Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.

2) The Association of Train Operating Companies http://www.atoc.org/media-centre/latest-press-releases/train-companies-confirm-fare-changes-for-2011-100526

Green Flag

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