Aussies are ditching their cars and changing their driving habits as fuel prices continue to rocket, a new survey has shown.
An NRMA survey of 1800 Australians has found that more than half of participants have reduced the amount of driving they do in a bid to limit their spending on petrol and diesel.
It found that 52 per cent of those asked said they had been driving less in direct response to the Middle East-driven price hikes.
Motorists said they had been doing so by a variety of means, including carpooling, walking more and relying more on public transport.
The research also found that Aussies were being more picky about which servo they pull up to, with 31 per cent saying they are choosing cheaper petrol stations where possible.
NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said he believed the changing habits could help drive prices down.
“Australians are cutting back on or adapting the way they are using the family car, and prioritising their trips will go a long way to helping,” he said
“NRMA is also seeing that with service station shortages stabilising, the crucial message about not panic buying or hoarding fuel is getting through.”
The survey also found:
• Almost a quarter (24 per centc) of people are combining trips
• 13 per centc are walking more
• 12 per cent are relying on public transport more
Fuel prices have skyrocketed since the beginning of the US-Iran war.
It has also led to huge concern about people stockpiling fuel and scores of servos running out of petrol and diesel across the country, particularly in region areas.
Authorities have desperately pleaded with people not to stockpile and only buy what they need.
Speaking earlier this week, NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “It is obviously unsafe to store fuel in garages, homes or carports and we want to make sure people are not making dangerous decisions.”
