The new RAC Report on Motoring 2002 claims the country has become a 'congestion expecting society', with drivers now prepared to wait in jams as a matter of course, or altering their routes and driving times to find clear roads.
Commuter hours, for example, now start earlier and extend later as drivers attempt to avoid rush hour congestion, and the RAC report calculates that congestion now adds 40% to commuter times.
Drivers say the principal problems with consistent hold-ups are being late and missing appointments (30%), and stress and anger (15%).
This is damaging business efficiency and creating health and safety concerns for the employers of higher mileage drivers.
'Company car drivers are particularly frustrated about being late and suffer more from stress and feeling tired,' said the report.
Yet the report found a lower proportion of surveyed drivers see public transport as a solution to road congestion than in previous years - only 2% this year see public transport as a solution to congestion, although 41% called for an improvement in public transport, compared to 20% suggesting new road building.
The advent of congestion charging in London, however, will encourage as many as 39% of drivers either to use public transport or to avoid driving into central London, or to car share.
A further 12% will recharge the congestion fee to their employers, while 47% will foot the proposed £5 per day charge themselves.
Gary Spellins, managing director of RAC Business Solutions, said: 'The research showed that despite the introduction of congestion charging, people would not move out of their cars for their daily commute unless suitable, flexible public transport is available.
'And to avoid congestion charges people will adapt their journey times to get through before 7am when charging starts.'
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