Cookie Consent

Our site uses web cookies to give you the best experience and keep things secure. Some are essential and can't be turned off. Others are used for measuring and testing performance and improving functionality. We recommend you accept all cookies or you can choose your own settings. Read more in our Data Protection Policy and our Privacy Policy
Accept
Cookie management

together with

Supporting you and your family on the road, on your bike and at home

We have 57,363 members and their families, driving 75,528 vehicles and riding 47,803 cycles

In 2023 we saved our members £385,240 in recovery fees, storage charges, and insurance excess

In 2023 we successfully helped 4,269 members with their motoring, cycling and property claims

Having a car is even more important during the Covid pandemic, according to the RAC

Having a car is even more important during the Covid pandemic, according to the RAC's recent survey

According to recent research by the RAC, 57% of drivers say they value having a car more today than they did in 2019, and that public transport is not an appealing option.

Younger drivers in particular are saying this, and even people who live in the centre of London, where driving can be very stressful and public transport is abundant, are saying so as well.

Why is this? There are several reasons:

Although many people are currently working from home, 64% of the people polled expect to have to drive to work again in the future, while 68% said a car is essential for shopping. In fact, shopping was cited as the most important reason for needing a car.

Furthermore, many drivers felt that public transport is not a viable option during the pandemic, with many buses and trains either cancelled or with extremely limited capacity due to social distancing requirements.

As a result of these factors, motorists are now more likely to stay in their cars than switch to public transport than ever before.

Just 43% of those surveyed said they would use their cars less, even if other modes of transport improved - the lowest figure since 2002.

RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said:

"Even with lower traffic volumes, the pandemic appears to have reinforced the bond between drivers and their cars, with public transport less attractive than ever. Motorists see having access to a car as being even more important for the trips they need to make, be that shopping for essentials or getting out to see family and friends when restrictions allow."

He added that there may be a longer-term effect:

"Without a concerted effort from government and local councils, the pandemic risks putting efforts to encourage drivers out of their cars for some trips back by years. Even before the coronavirus, drivers complained that public transport fares were often too high and services didn't run when they needed them to. Now, for the first time since 2002, we have fewer drivers than ever saying they're prepared to use public transport even if services improved - underlining just what a huge role the car continues to play in 2020."

A cross-section of 3,068 drivers were questioned as part of the RAC's 2020 'Report on Motoring'.

together with

Assist Protect Ltd is regulated by the Data Protection Act 2018 and is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office, ref. Z2148051. Registered office: Mercia Place, 2 Main Street, Repton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, DE65 6EZ. Company No. 7184256.

© Assist Protect Limited. All rights reserved.

AssistProtect, the AssistProtect logo and all the logos of Assist Protect Ltd's products and services are trademarks of Assist Protect Ltd.
The website www.assistprotect.co.uk and its designs are solely owned by Assist Protect Ltd.