Proof Aussies ditching cars amid skyrocketing fuel prices

A new survey has shown Australians are ditching their cars and changing their driving habits as fuel prices continue to soar.

An NRMA survey of 1800 Australians found more than half of respondents had reduced the amount they drove to limit their spending on petrol and diesel.

It was revealed that 52 percent of those surveyed said they were driving less as a direct response to price increases originating from the Middle East.

Drivers said they are doing this in a variety of ways, including carpooling, walking more and relying more on public transportation.

The research also found Australians are being more selective about which servo they choose, with 31 per cent saying they choose cheaper petrol stations whenever possible.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said he believed changing habits could help lower prices.

“Australians are reducing or adapting to how they use the family car and prioritizing their travel will go a long way to helping,” he said

“NRMA is also seeing the important message of not panic buying or hoarding fuel getting through as the service station shortage stabilizes.”

The survey also found:

• Almost a quarter (24 percent) of people combine trips

• 13 percent walk more

• 12 percent use public transportation more

Fuel prices have increased rapidly since the beginning of the US-Iran war.

This has also raised major concerns about people stockpiling fuel and many servos across the country, especially in regional areas, running out of petrol and diesel.

Officials desperately pleaded with people to not stockpile and buy only what they need.

Speaking earlier this week, NSW Premier Chris Minns said: “Storing fuel in garages, homes or garages is simply unsafe and we want to make sure people are not making dangerous decisions.”