A survey of UK drivers has found 40% say they have no feasible alternative to the car for travelling to work.
The research, by the RAC, also found that for those living in rural locations, this figure increased to 70%.
Taking a bus to work was only seen as viable by 31% of drivers, with this figure rising to 50% in towns and cities, but dropping to 11% in rural areas.
Overall, 81% of drivers said they would struggle find it very difficult to adjust their lifestyle to being without a vehicle – a figure that the RAC said had remained “remarkably constant” since 1989, when it first asked this question.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Our research shows that the car remains central to so many people’s lives. While those in more rural areas are most car dependent, half of those in urban centres also don’t see public transport as a viable alternative for their daily commute.
“What’s more, while there’s a definite willingness to make greater use of alternatives to the car, driving is still the mode of choice when it comes to running errands or making leisure trips, possibly because drivers see it as the most time and cost-effective option.
“Car dependency also seems to increase with age. Young people clearly have a desire and, in many cases, a need to drive, but the convenience and freedom it brings seems to become more important as the decades pass.
“While the current government is very focused on improving public transport across the board, we suspect the car will always be essential to many people’s lives.”
