Over a third of people are planning to stop car sharing permanently in the wake of COVID-19 according to a new web-based survey by independent car retailer, Motorpoint. Of the 750 people who took part in the poll, 41.3% thought giving a lift to people was now a thing of the past due.

The results of the poll come as traffic volumes in the UK continue to steadily increase to almost pre-lockdown levels. According to the RAC, there has been a 19% increase in the number of vehicles on the road between late March and early June – driven in part by calls by the Government for people not to use public transport except where they have no alternative.

Mark Carpenter, Chief Executive Officer of Motorpoint, said:

“The results of our poll are clearly understandable given COVID-19 and definitely reflect the desire by people to maintain social distancing at all times when outside of their home, whether it’s travelling to work, visiting friends or simply popping to the shops for a loaf of bread and some milk.”

Updated guidance from the Department for Transport recommends that if you normally share a vehicle with people from other households or support bubbles for essential journeys, you should find a different way to travel so that you can maintain social distancing. For example, consider walking, cycling or using your own vehicle if you can.

If you do have to travel with people outside your household or support bubble try to:

• share the transport with the same people each time;
• keep to small groups of people at any one time;
• open windows for ventilation;
• travel side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow;
• face away from each other;
• consider seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle;
• clean your car between journeys using standard cleaning products – make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch; and
• ask the driver and passengers to wear a face covering.