Driving issues are important to local election voting

Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of motorists say that driving issues will be important in this week's local elections, according to the latest poll from the AA. However, although most council candidates will be in tune with this by pandering to local concerns within their wards, many may risk that opinion turning against them at full council level, the AA warns. What is important to a local neighbourhood to solve problems such as parking, speeding and traffic congestion, may anger voters from elsewhere in the local authority – Speed cameras, speed humps, changed road priorities, parking restrictions and anything likely to incur a financial penalty for non-compliance may satisfy local concerns but cause a wider backlash.Of 13,332 drivers responding to an AA/Populus panel survey this spring, 20 per cent of them agreed that driving issues are very important in determining who they will vote for in local elections. A further 45 per cent said they are quite important.The youngest and oldest voters are the most influenced by driving issues, respectively 66 per cent and 68 per cent in rating driving issues important. Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of pensioners say the impact of council policies on driving is very important in deciding who to vote for. Regionally, voters in the South, North West and North East (all 67 per cent) are the most switched on to driving as a local election issue, Wales the least (57 per cent). The group that includes skilled manual workers, at 72 per cent, are most likely to see driving issues as a factor in deciding who to vote for, possibly because of everyday travel between jobs and having to deal with problems like parking and traffic congestion.Factors that may influence local election votingParking – restrictive policies, over-zealous ticketing and increased charges, particularly for councils that didn't pass on the 2.5% VAT cut Speeding – enforcement and restriction policies versus neighbourhood protectionEnvironmental – restrictive and revenue-raisjng policies masquerading as green initiatives, such as workplace and residents' permit parking chargesRoad condition – state of repair (potholes, lighting), winter gritting and snow clearanceCongestion – time it takes to get to work, road improvement schemes, and public transportCommenting, Edmund King, AA President, said: "Despite all the talk of MPs' expenses, when it comes to local elections road issues are important. Local papers are always full of letters about pot-holes, pavements and parking. Previous research from AA/Populus has shown us that the voting intentions of AA members' tend to reflect those of the population at large but that AA members are more likely to vote."The 'AA voter' will be important at the elections this week and politicians should remember this."

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