Fuel prices drive motorists out of work

As the climbing cost of the daily commute cripples the nation, new research from insurance.co.uk reveals that one in six (16 per cent) Brits are considering quitting their job and looking for work closer to home because it is not economical to make the journey by car each day. The average commuter has seen fuel bills rise by 21% per cent over the last 12 months2 and this figure is widely expected to increase over the coming weeks.

In a variety of other cost cutting measures, one in four (25 per cent) drivers have decided to leave the car at home and fare their luck on public transport whilst one in five (19 per cent) are actively seeking car shares.

And it appears that the rising cost of fuel may also be impacting our personal life. Two in five (41 per cent) are consciously cutting back on day trips, over a third (35 per cent) are reducing car journeys to shops and supermarkets, nearly one in three (29 per cent) plan to reduce the amount of car trips they make to visit friends and family, and more than one in ten (11 per cent) are going to stop driving their children to school.

Worryingly, over half the population (51 per cent) plan to cut their spend on MOT's, servicing and car parts, with potentially disastrous consequences for car and road safety. Over a third of drivers (36 per cent) are thinking about buying a more fuel efficient car while one in six (15 per cent) are thinking about downgrading. One in ten (10 per cent) are thinking about scrapping their vehicle altogether.

Steve Grainger, head of insurance.co.uk, said: "The rising cost of fuel is taking its toll on British drivers in more ways than one. Our research highlights the enormous pressure being put on commuters and the wider economic consequences that may lie just around the corner.

"In the current climate, it's more important than ever that motorists take stock of their finances and realise the savings that could be made by shopping around for insurance cover".

The research also reveals that rising fuel costs and worsening economic conditions are encouraging drivers to be more savvy when it comes to shopping around for the best deal. This year over two thirds of motorists (68 per cent) intend to actively compare motor insurance providers to see how much they could save. Nearly two thirds (64 per cent) say they will be less inclined to fill up at a passing petrol station and plan to research providers in an effort to get the lowest priced fuel.

Motorists from Glasgow and Manchester are the most concerned about rising fuel costs with city dwellers from London, already impacted by congestion charges and most likely to use public transport day to day, the least concerned about a severe financial impact.