More than half of company car drivers would refuse to car share if they had choice, according to new research.
The Masterlease survey, found that 55% of fleet drivers would refuse to car share if they could, and three quarters of those admitted that they would rather make up an excuse than agree to give colleagues a lift.
Wanting to listen to the radio (22%) was cited as the number one reason why drivers wished to go solo, followed by liking the flexibility of having their own transport (17%) and the belief that no-one lived near enough to them to make it worthwhile (16%).
The vast majority (68%) of those asked said that their driving behaviour changed in the presence of passengers in the car, while 41% said that they drove less confidently. While nearly half (47%) felt the effect was positive as it lead to them driving more conscientiously.
Nearly half (46%) said that their driving changed the most when it was a work colleague of their boss in the car with them.
Clive Forsythe, sales and marketing director at Masterlease, said: "The results of this survey are really interesting as they show that we tend to drive more carefully with others in the car. People possibly worry about others judging their driving and so slow down and are much more careful. However, people report that they would still rather travel alone despite the obvious fuel-saving advantages as well as safety benefits."
