THE message of using the car less and taking more public transport seems to be getting through to young people but not elderly people, a report from the RAC Foundation showed today.

In the past decade, there has been a drop in the number of car trips taken by 16-29 year olds.

But this decrease has been offset by a rapid growth in car ownership, and car usage, among those aged 70 or more, the report said.

Car licence holding is greatest among those aged 30-69, while those aged 30-49 use their cars the most – getting their motor out for 69% of all trips taken.

The report found:

The number of licensed cars has grown 30% over the past decade – to 29.6m;

70% of adults now have licences and, of the poorest 20% of households, almost half own at least one car;

Two-thirds of trips are by car, yet 46% do less than 5,000 miles per year;

Car use accounts for 8% of all trips under half a mile, 78% of all trips of 2-3 miles, and 80% of all trips of five miles and over;

45% of people say they are willing and able to reduce their car use, but generally people prefer using the car to public transport.