An independent survey among over 1,000 motorists carried out by car insurance provider Hastings Direct has revealed the extent to which motorists are changing their driving habits due to the rising cost of motoring.

At the turn of the century, petrol prices were about 77p per litre – they have nearly doubled in just 11 years and the trend is set to continue.

The Hastings Direct survey asked motorists what they would do at key future price points for petrol.

• One in five drivers will give up their car completely if petrol hits £2 per litre, while more than one in ten (12 per cent) will buy a hybrid or electric car at this price point.

Sixty seven per cent of drivers currently use their car mainly for social use.

When asked at what petrol price point drivers would stop using their car socially – over one in three (35 per cent) will at £1.50 per litre, one in five (20 per cent) at £1.60 and at £1.70 (18 per cent).

The rising cost of motoring has already impacted drivers significantly in the last 12 months.

Over three quarters (78 per cent) say that the rising costs have affected how frequently they drive including one per cent who has given up their cars completely.

Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) have generally cut down on using the car – nearly half (49 per cent) have cut back at least 25 miles each week, nearly a third (32 per cent) by 50 miles per week and over seven per cent by in excess of 100 miles a week.

The drivers revealed that they now use their car less in the following situations:

• 49 per cent less to go out.

• 35 per cent less to visit family and friends.

• 14 per cent less to commute.

• 10 per cent less to do the school run.

When asked how likely their next car was to be a hybrid or electric car nearly one in three (31 per cent) said it would – six per cent of whom will definitely buy an alternative powered car.

Tobias van der Meer, managing director of Hastings Direct, said: “Our survey clearly shows the pressure motorists are feeling on their finances.

“We know from our customers how keen they are to for us to offer a competitive premium and we have sold nearly a million policies in the last year.

“Taking the right actions – reducing mileage and driving safely – can help motorists cut the cost of their insurance and their fuel bills, but ultimately motorists cannot and will not keep be able to keep on paying higher and higher petrol prices.”