Motoring Costs Force Mums Out of Their Cars

The school run is finally becoming a walk – but it’s more down to fuel, car insurance and budget costs than concerns about exercise.

Cash strapped mums are abandoning their cars and taking to the pavements for shorter journeys – that’s the conclusion of a new report by Bridgestone Tyres.

Fuel hikes, car insurance price rises and many other pressures on household budgets have resulted in 70% of mums taking steps to use their car less than they were only twelve months ago.

That not only means that many are making shorter journeys like the school run on foot, but also that fewer plan to take their kids on school holiday day trips in the car.

Additionally, one in 20 mums have sold one of their cars, while a third were considering selling their car because fuel is too expensive.

Other key findings of the report included:

• Nine in ten mums are feeling the effects of the economy
• Two in three are worried about how much the school holiday will cost
• Nine in ten are saving less
• Nearly half are regularly overdrawn.

Many are also responding to their circumstances by cutting their energy use, buying own-brand products from supermarkets and giving their children fewer treats.

Bridgestone’s communications manager for the UK, Andrew Dingley, summarised the report’s findings by saying: “High prices at the pump, coupled with the fact that families have less money in their pockets will have an impact on not only how we drive, but what we drive too… Our research shows that people are sacrificing journeys because they simply can’t afford to fill up as much.”

Moneyhighstreet comments: “Sadly, the findings of this research don’t come as a surprise. Cash strapped mums are having to make tough choices for their families as household, car insurance and fuel prices continue to rise.

“However, there are two silver linings to the findings. The first is more families travelling to school on foot, which is a great habit to get into – especially with rising levels of obesity affecting children across the country.

“The second is that more mums are considering environmentally friendly forms of transport – the report also found that 42% have considered buying a hybrid car and nearly two thirds would weigh up the pros and cons of electric cars.”