Motorists in the driving seat at election

Young motorists could be in the driving seat at the next General Election.

A new nationwide survey carried out on behalf of one of the country's leading breakdown services has indicated that politicians looking to attract young voters would do well to take note of its findings.

The survey, conducted on behalf of breakdown service Autonational Rescue, found that 71% of drivers under the age of 24 put a reduction in the tax on fuel at the top of their wish list for the next Government.

They were not alone in their demands either, for nearly 60% of all drivers interviewed wanted an end to the add-on duties which sees the Government take about 70p in tax from every £1 spent at the pumps.

Feelings didn't run so high over the question of a reduction in actual car tax, with only 10% listing it as a top priority for a future Government. Neither did an abandonment of further congestion charges, or even a road tax for cycles, which saw just 3% giving those ideas any merit.

Twenty per cent, however, would like to see the road and fuel taxes spent exclusively on road improvements.

Ronan Hart, marketing manager of Autonational said: "There have been suggestions from City analysts that Gordon Brown could afford to cut fuel tax by 9p a litre based on the fact he is earning £5bn a year extra on the back of record oil prices and petrol breaking the £5-a-gallon barrier.

"The survey findings must send a strong message to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor that they must at the very least scrap any further tax hikes. Motorists are voters too and they are hurting."

The independent survey was carried out across the UK by CAPI Omnibus based on a representative sample of around 1,000 adults at 72 sampling points.

For more driving tips, please visit Autonational Rescue

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