According to a survey conducted by the polling institute Forsa, only a quarter of German drivers are significantly altering their transportation habits in response to rising fuel costs. Data reported by RTL and ntv shows that overall, only about one in three drivers (31%) reported driving less frequently than they did just weeks earlier, while a majority (68%) stated they have made no changes to their driving behavior.
The effect of cost savings appears to be linked to income. Individuals from lower-income households-those earning less than 2,500 Euros net-reported driving infrequently at a rate of 44%. This figure is considerably higher than the 24% who reported reduced driving for households earning more than 4,000 Euros.
More analysis showed that drivers who are dependent on their car daily are much less likely to cut back on trips compared to occasional users. Those who are cutting back are shifting to alternative modes of transport. Specifically, 51% reported using bicycles more often, 42% said they were walking more frequently, 35% are increasing their use of buses and trains, and 22% are organizing carpools.
The data was compiled by the market research institute Forsa on behalf of RTL Deutschland, drawing from 1,005 respondents surveyed on April 24th and 27th.
