Young drivers are the greenest, the latest research shows. According to the 2009 RAC Report on Motoring- now in its 21st year- a third (36 per cent) of 17-24 year olds are very confident they understand the skills required to be a greener driver, compared to just a quarter of other motorists.
Although the report also investigated other motoring habits such as attitude to drink-driving, texting at the wheel and drug-driving, yielding some disappointing results for the UK's youngsters, the results of attitudes to green issues were much better.
According to the report, one in four young drivers has been in a car when they believed the driver was under the influence of drugs - and one in 10 young drivers has admitted taking the wheel themselves while under the influence. 17 to 24 year olds are also the most likely to be distracted while driving than their older counterparts. More than one in four occasionally send text messages at the wheel - but 5 per cent admit to being frequent texters.
The report showed though, that young drivers aged between 17-24 years old are fast emerging as a positive influence in changing long-held driving habits. As well as understanding green driving techniques, younger drivers are more likely to car share than other age group, helping to cut congestion and CO2 emissions. One in five shares a vehicle at least once a week compared to only 4 per cent of other drivers.
Impressively, 83 per cent of the 17-24 age group is in favour of increased investment in alternative fuel technologies, recognising that they cannot depend on the internal combustion engine forever, compared to only 68 per cent of all motorists. While 41 per cent of the 17-24 age group agree they will be more inclined to choose an alternative power source when buying their next vehicle, compared to 26 per cent of all motorists.
Adrian Tink, RAC’s Motoring Strategist, said: “This year’s report clearly shows a generational divide among motorists as regards their vices. Younger drivers have many good habits that bode well for the future of motoring".
Sadly though all age-group motorists were united in feeling disengaged with the big policy issues of the day such as the environment, traffic management and long-term road improvement and planning. Their focus is instead on issues of immediate relevance to their wallets, but gladly this does include such methods as reducing car usage.
The report also found growing support for the role of public transport with 67 per cent of motorists stating they would use their cars less if these options were better and 75 per cent demanding further investment in it.
Efforts by motorists to lower the cost of owning their vehicles, with 53 per cent walking more often and 77 per cent shopping around for car insurance, plus increased risk-taking to save money, such as reducing breakdown cover and servicing their own vehicles.
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