Fuel costs put brakes on driving

Rising fuel prices are forcing nearly a third of New Zealand motorists to drive their car less, according to new research.

Research New Zealand director Emanuel Kalafatelis said the rising cost of petrol and diesel over the past year had resulted in 32 per cent of those polled saying they were driving their car less often.

He said the poll also showed that if the price of fuel increased to $2 or more per litre, more than half of New Zealanders would use their car less.

"The high cost of fuel is hitting Kiwis hard and it's making us change our driving habits. While the actual numbers saying they'll drive less may not eventuate in the end, the results do show that Kiwis are very concerned with the price of fuel," he said.

The poll showed women claimed they were altering their driving habits more than men.

While 35 per cent of women said they were driving less, only 29 per cent of men said they were.

The results also found people on a higher income were less likely to change their driving habits with 70% of those earning $70,000 or more still taking the car for a spin whenever they wanted.

If the price of fuel rose to $2 or more per litre, 64 per cent  of people earning under $40,000 were more likely to say they would use their car less, compared to 49 per cent  of those who earned $70,000 or more.

NZPA