What Issues Are Affecting Drivers in the 2020s?
What would you say are the biggest issues facing drivers in the 2020s? With more drivers on the road than ever and the personal car still the most efficacious form of transport for many, problems when driving affect millions of people every day.
Anyone who’s old enough to remember waiting on jam-packed roads when heading to holiday hotspots like Cornwall in the 1970s knows that some driver problems – like congestion – are perennial. There are other pressures, however, that relate more to the times we are living in, from the cost of fuel to long waits for driving tests.
The Biggest Problems Facing UK Drivers (According to the RAC)
As the political situation calms down after moving at lightning (and rather exhausting!) speed, the RAC has called on new prime minister Rishi Sunak to address 11 key issues affecting drivers.
At Hi-Way Services, much of our work (but not all) relates to maintaining Britain’s road network, including high friction surfacing, road markings and road and motorway studs. Road maintenance is a vital component of the driving experience, but it isn’t the only factor, and as the RAC demands suggest, there is a myriad of pressures on modern road users.
The RAC is an insurance company that provides roadside assistance to stranded or imperilled drivers, and as such is primarily concerned with driver safety. While you can read a full list of their calls upon the government and the rationale behind them here, a short overview can be found below:
- Improve local roads and fix potholes.
- Address high fuel prices and the cost of driving.
- Maintain a yearly MOT test rather than the proposed 2-year limit.
- Make the transition to electric vehicles more affordable, and less punitive, for drivers.
- Continue the roll-out of smart motorways to reduce congestion, if done safely.
- Improve standards of road safety with driver-assistance technology.
- Implement fairer and less expensive systems of parking.
- Reduce backlogs for driving tests.
- Ensure drivers benefit from a competitive aftermarket.
- Improve infrastructure to give drivers access to alternative forms of transport.
- Reassess fuel duty to reflect a switch to electric vehicles.
A Perceived Lack of Options on the Road
One interesting issue highlighted in this list of talking points from the RAC is a perceived lack of access to alternative forms of transport for drivers. This is something we explored in depth in a recent article exploring how line markings can help to diversify methods of travel on our roads.
In research conducted by the RAC, eight out of ten drivers said they would struggle to get by without their car, suggesting a lack of viable alternatives. With bus routes having been cut and a lack of infrastructure for cyclists in many areas of the country, focusing efforts on diversifying Britain’s roads could make a huge difference in widening people’s transport options.
Issues Following the Highway Code
According to experts at road safety charity IAM Roadsmart, road users may be in danger of behaving in contravention of the highway code and facing punitive action due to inadequate communication from the Department of Transportation. Earlier in the year, IAM Roadsmart’s director of policy and research Neil Greig shared his concerns that changes to the Highway Code weren’t being properly publicised, leaving all road users at risk of accidents or fines.
The Cost of Living Crisis Impacting Drivers
Something that’s on everyone’s minds at the moment is the UK’s cost of living crisis. As budgets are squeezed and people look for ways to save money, a survey by Forbes Advisor revealed the actions UK motorists are taking to cut costs, including taking fewer car journeys (31%) and using savings to cover the cost of running a car (20%). It also revealed that over two-thirds of people are worried about affording fuel for essential journeys.
Perhaps more worryingly, further research from the RAC highlighted that young drivers in particular are delaying car repairs due to a lack of funds. Thirty-seven per cent of motorists aged 17 to 24 years old are putting off important work, with 28% deferring minor repairs such as replacing worn brake discs, and 16% doing the same for major issues such as cracked windscreens.
This concerning trend could lead to people facing far higher costs in the future as a lack of maintenance contributes to further degradation of their vehicle. There is also the potential for more profound consequences, as many repairs (such as the replacement of tires) can be lifesaving.
An article by Autocar describes the “perfect storm” of rising prices across all aspects of driving, from hikes in insurance to a 28% increase in the costs of second-hand cars. It is unfortunately the case that, for the foreseeable future, the climbing costs of driving are likely to be one of the biggest issues facing motorists.
