RAC calls on political parties to address the ‘big four’

Any political party aspiring to form the next Government needs to address the ‘big four’ motoring concerns that negatively impact individual drivers, businesses and the economy as a whole, says the RAC.

As approximately two thirds of those eligible to vote hold a driving licence, the RAC believes their voice deserves to be heard en masse.

The RAC is therefore calling for each party to put forward plans in the run-up to the General Election, as part of their manifestos, on how they will tackle:

• The high cost of fuel – reducing fuel duty to lessen hardship for the lower paid who depend on their cars and to help stimulate economic growth.

• The poor state of the UK’s roads – putting an end to the cycle of deterioration and under investment that has led to all-year-round potholes and the ‘developing world’ status of our roads.

• Illegal behaviour of drivers – improve enforcement by halting the decline in the number of traffic police that has created a ‘getting away with it’ culture among a significant minority of drivers.

• Expensive and inadequate parking facilities – addressing the increasing cost, reduction in availability and fitness for purpose of parking in many parts of the country.

The RAC has written to the leaders of the main political parties setting out these concerns so that they can be addressed in their election manifestos during the summer parliamentary recess.

The ‘big four’ motoring concerns were identified in the 2014 edition of the RAC Report on Motoring, an annual independent survey of what’s on the mind of a representative cross-section of UK motorists – a study which the country’s oldest motoring organisation has been carrying out for the last 26 years.

RAC technical director David Bizley said: “We know that motoring is vital to the UK economy and therefore we want the political parties to fully understand the biggest concerns on motorists’ minds. And we call on each leader to explain clearly what their party would do to address these issues and bring about positive change for the benefit of the country as a whole and everyone who uses the roads.

“Motorists are not just motorists, they also use public transport, they cycle and they are pedestrians so they are not seeking solutions at the expense of other road users.

“Nevertheless, as Motorists’ Champion, the RAC calls on all of the political parties to address motorists’ concerns head on in their election manifestos and on the next Government to take decisive action.

“As we approach a General Election, there are some clear messages that any party that aspires to Government needs to take on board.”