The AA today launches its motoring manifesto
‘Creating Confidence for Drivers' –
ahead of the upcoming local and mayoral elections, and a pending
General Election.
As a nation we rely on our roads to connect our communities, grow
our economy, and keep families functioning. Drivers make a
significant contribution to the public purse as well as play a
major part in the transition to net zero, so it is vital their
voice is heard by all political parties.
The AA has been supporting drivers for over a hundred years and
today represents more than 14 million members in the UK. Our
research shows that many of those drivers are confused and
concerned across a range of issues – unsure about how and when to
make the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) and worried about the
state of our roads and infrastructure, as well as the
affordability and safety of driving overall.
Our manifesto highlights five critical areas of
action to address those concerns:
-
Supporting drivers: keeping motoring costs low
through fuel duty freeze, better fuel price transparency and
reducing Insurance Premium Tax.
-
Sustainable future: providing the right
incentives, infrastructure, and information to support the
switch to zero emission vehicles. For example, helping those
without on-street parking by cutting VAT for on-street EV
charging.
-
Smoother journeys: addressing the pothole
crisis with ring-fenced funds and use of technology for more
permanent repairs. Scrapping the failed experiment of ‘smart'
motorways.
-
Safer roads: reducing road deaths through
setting clear targets, increased roads policing and addressing
the tragedy of new driver deaths through graduated licences
such as restricting passengers for six months after passing
their test.
-
Strengthening the industry: providing support
to the sector to enable greater investment in innovation and
skills. Maintain push for regulations to allow access to
vehicle data to improve the safety, convenience, running costs
and environment via connected car services.
Edmund King, AA president, holding a copy of the AA Motoring
Manifesto outside the Houses of Parliament.
Jakob Pfaudler, AA CEO, said: “I hope this
manifesto proves informative and helps to shape a better road
ahead for all drivers as we enter a critical juncture for the
nation. There are 50 million people with a driving licence in
Great Britain and around 40 million licenced vehicles. Driving
forms a vital part of the majority of people's daily lives
whether for work, deliveries, leisure, holidays or visiting
family and friends. Driving matters to them and their views
should matter to us as we head to the polls later this year.
Implementing our motoring manifesto will help to create
confidence for drivers now and for the future.”
Edmund King, AA president, added: “The AA's
manifesto is backed by polling of our members. We know that
permanently fixing potholes is the number one issue, but we also
know that drivers want action on scrapping ‘smart' motorways,
improving the safety of new drivers and being given more
incentives and reassurance before switching to zero emission
vehicles. Our message to all parties is ‘motoring matters'.
Full details of The AA Motoring Manifesto can be found attached.
ends
Survey sources
AA Yonder General Election online survey of 11,963 AA members,11
to 23 January 2024. AA Yonder EV online survey of 1,567 AA
members, 6 to 12 October 2023. Yonder is a founding member of the
British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
