Nearly two-thirds of drivers are worried about being able to afford timely repairs to their vehicles, a new survey has found, raising concerns about road safety.
The survey, carried out by Brake and AXA UK, questioned drivers on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
Some 62% of respondents said they were worried about affording vehicle repairs – a figure which rises to 84% among 17-24-year-olds.
Brake and AXA UK says the survey highlights the tough decisions that people are facing every day when getting into their vehicles.
Of the 2,000 people surveyed, 10% said they had driven or ridden their vehicles while there were warning lights on the dashboard, with a similar number (10%) also saying they had driven or ridden with a broken light in the dark.
Lucy Straker, campaigns manager at Brake, said: “It is clear to us that the cost-of-living crisis is having a detrimental effect on the safety of people on our roads.
“And as the cost-of-living crisis will not be resolved in the short term, it is essential that measures are put in place to protect everyone using the roads.
In addition, 18% of respondents said they had driven with known tyre defects as a way to save money. This is a 7% increase on research conducted by Brake a decade ago.
The charity says this indicates how behaviours towards safety decisions have been forced to change.
Vehicle defects contribute to nearly 500 people being killed or seriously injured on UK roads every year. Plus, drivers can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get three penalty points for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
Lucy Straker added: “With many people at risk of compromising their safety, or worried they may have to due to the cost-of-living crisis, more must be done to improve the safety of everyone who travels on UK roads.
“In 2022, Brake called for the UK to adopt the EU General Safety Standards on vehicle and pedestrian safety. Given this new information linked to the cost-of-living crisis, now more than ever is the time for the Government to adopt these standards to protect people on the roads.”
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