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Archived press release

New Government survey highlights dominance of the car

16 December 2004

A Government survey showing major trends in domestic transport and travel published today (Thursday), highlights just how much society has become dominated by the car. Friends of the Earth said the survey showed that the Government's transport strategy isn't working, and more must be done to reduce traffic levels and develop alternatives to the car.

• Traffic levels on Britain's roads rose by 79 per cent between 1980 and 2003
• Between 1985/86 and 2003, the distance the average person travels a year by car rose by 38 per cent, the distance walked fell by 21 per cent and the distance by bike fell by 28 per cent;
• The percentage of 11-16 year olds going to school by car rose from 10 per cent in 1985/86 to 23 per cent in 2002/03
• Road transport produced 22 per cent of British emissions of carbon dioxide in 2002;
• 59 per cent of the country's poorest households don't own a car;
• More than one in five people without a car find it difficult to get to a doctor or supermarket

Friends of the Earth's transport campaigner, Tony Bosworth, said:

"These figures show just how much our society is dominated by the car. We're driving further than we used to, using buses less and not walking and cycling as far. Transport is pumping out almost a quarter of the UK's emissions of climate change gases, and it is becoming harder for people who don't have access to a car to get to the places that others take for granted. The Government's transport policy isn't working. It's high time Ministers grasped the nettle and took firm action to reduce traffic levels on our roads and develop cleaner, sustainable alternatives instead."

Note

1. Transport trends 2004: See:
www.dft.gov.uk/pns/displaypn.cgi?pn_id=2004_0159

For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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