As driving costs spiral children learn to walk to school again

Motorists across the board are changing their driving habits in response to the spiralling cost of living, according to research from uSwitch.com.

Over half (55%) are cutting back on the number of trips they make and 38% now only use their car for essential journeys. However, one of the biggest shake-ups is in the number of parents who have stopped driving their children to school. Over a quarter (27%) no longer use their car for the school run and the majority of these (79%) say that their chidren are now walking to school instead.

The findings suggest that the impact of the credit crunch and the soaring cost of motoring have started to achieve what the Government and campaigners have failed to do - encourage the practice of walking or cycling to school. The cross-Government obesity unit has just announced the launch of a £75 million movement designed to promote the health benefits of these activities for children. But the price of a full tank of petrol hitting an eye watering £66 on average looks set to have a far greater effect.

The number of children travelling to school by car has doubled over the last 20 years and, in rush hour, one in five cars is on a school run. And yet almost seven in ten schoolchildren (68%) live less than 2 miles from school. Despite this, more than half - 56% - are driven to school. This trend has been blamed for growing obesity and health problems in children. According to the Department of Health, a quarter of the adult population is obese along with almost a fifth of all children under the age of 16.

In their attempt to cut costs, motorists who start to shun the car in favour of walking and cycling could see health and environmental benefits. The school run alone is responsible for an estimated 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year, plus latest Government recomendations are that adults exercise moderately for at least 30 minutes five days a week while children should exercise for at least one hour a day.

This now seems very feasible as those who cut back on car journeys look for alternatives. Over three quarters (78%) are walking more as a result, with 58% saying that they now walk to see friends and family who live locally. Cycling gets a thumbs up too - 15% of cost conscious drivers are replacing some of their trips with a bike ride. In fact, just under two in ten (19%) say that they have bought a new bike to help keep costs down.

However, the love affair with motoring isn't over - the research suggests that drivers are simply responding to the current financial squeeze by cutting back, not cutting out. One in ten (11%) has started car sharing, while over half (54%) of drivers are concentrating on driving more economically. They may be responding to economic gloom, but an unexpected benefit may be that health and pollution levels improve as a result.

Ashton Berkhauer, insurance expert at uSwitch.com, says: "Just as some have started to talk about the upside of falling house prices, so people may start to see a silver lining to the growing number of motorists leaving their car at home. The fact is that our roads could become clearer, cleaner and safer as a result, especially as drivers start to give up short journeys, such as the school run.

"This shift in behaviour could also have a knock-on effect on the insurance industry as insurers take annual mileage into account when calculating premiums. Lower mileage could result in lower premiums. Also, statistically more accidents happen on shorter trips, so cutting back on short journeys could lead to fewer insurance claims. Again, this could result in lower premiums.

"The key thing is for motorists to provide their insurer with an accurate idea of the number of miles they clock up. Don't miss a trick - if your mileage changes, let your insurer know. Cost conscious drivers should also make sure that they are paying the lowest possible price for their motor insurance and that means shopping around rather than just relying on a renewal quote. Getting a better deal could save you £200 - a real help in these cash strapped times."