MOTORISTS are 'dazed and confused' and are being 'taken for a ride' over motoring taxes by the Government, according to an AA/NOP survey of 501 drivers. With a month to go before the March 17 Budget and the Government pledged to increase fuel prices by at least 6% above inflation - a minimum of 6p a litre/27.2p a gallon in real terms - most drivers don't realise they pay 80% in tax at the petrol pump, according to the survey.

As a result they believe they are being short-changed when it comes to Government spending on roads and public transport. Some 90% of drivers questioned thought tax on petrol was under 80% and half of them believed it was under 50% but in reality £2.24 of a £2.85 gallon of petrol is tax. Meanwhile, annual Budget rises in fuel prices have done nothing to stop motorists from using their car and 68% said public transport failed to meet their needs.

Paul Watters, AA head of roads and transport, said: 'British motorists are being taken for a ride. Less than a quarter of what motorists pay - £6 billion out of a total of £27 billion - is ploughed back into roads and public transport. Sixty-eight per cent of those questioned feel this is totally unacceptable.'