The AA has launched its motoring manifesto, ‘Creating Confidence for Drivers’, ahead of the upcoming local and mayoral elections – and a pending General Election.
The AA has been supporting drivers for over a hundred years and today represents more than 14 million members in the UK.
The AA says 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 roads and infrastructure, as well as the affordability and safety of driving overall.
The 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 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.
The AA says as a nation, we rely on the roads to connect communities, grow the economy, and keep families functioning.
It adds that 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.
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.”
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