"Motorists do not trust government" – IAM poll

Ninety-one per cent of motorists do not trust the government to reinvest money made from tolls on new roads, according to a survey of more than 2,500 motorists, conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

Sixty per cent of motorists do not support toll roads, and seventy-nine per cent of motorists would not support the introduction of tolls on existing roads.

Forty per cent of motorists would back more expensive tax discs instead of charging tolls on roads. Forty-one per cent wouldn’t support toll roads even if other types of tax were reduced. Motorists were divided on using toll roads. Forty-seven per cent of motorists said they don’t plan their journey to deliberately avoid using toll roads, while forty-four per cent of motorists do. Motorists feel strongly about toll roads in their local area. Fifty-six per cent of respondents said that they would use rural or local roads to avoid the toll charges, if a toll was enforced on their local motorway.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said:  “The cost of motoring is currently at an all-time high, and it’s clear that the idea of bringing in toll roads has no support among everyday motorists. A toll on motorways, our safest roads, may force motorists on to more dangerous rural roads, to save money.”

“The government has a very hard job ahead to convince drivers that tolls are the only way to deliver new roads and improve existing ones.  Only by reducing other motoring taxes can this policy gain the support of the motorist.”