Motorists’ growing dissatisfaction with the driving experience has crossed a tipping point with more than two-thirds (68%) now prepared to accept draconian measures to tackle congestion, new research reveals.

Over three-quarters of motorists perceive that congestion is getting steadily worse and support for road pricing to solve the problem has risen 6% in just two years, according to the 2006 RAC motoring report.

Nearly half of motorists (44%) support a road pricing scheme using precise telematics technology.

The research suggests that motorists are clear about the deal they want: 67% require a trade off on motoring tax; 63% expect investment in existing roads and 43% say improvements in public transport are crucial.

Telematics technology is also popular with motorists and extending its benefits to include other options such as in-car panic buttons could create a more positive reception for technology-led road pricing schemes.

The RAC thinks the time is ripe for government to offering financial trade-offs to motorists to make a persuasive case for road pricing. These should include:

• Commit to improvements in public transport
• Work more closely with employers to improve workplace travel plans
• Lead the debate to mandate in-car technology and provide incentives to motorists to encourage take up

Debbie Hewitt, managing director RAC, commented: "Motorists are sending a clear signal to government that road pricing is a more palatable solution than it has been for the growing problem of congestion - but they are looking to strike a deal."

"Government must act now to seize this opportunity to win over road users. Motorists themselves are telling us that there is wide scope to gain their support but it is critical that policymakers adopt a fair basis for charging, review the impact on current motoring taxes and promote the technological benefits of a road pricing system for the idea to become a reality."

Doing a deal

Critics suggest road pricing simply extracts more money from motorists. Over two thirds of motorists reveal that a financial trade-off on the motoring tax burden is crucial for any scheme to get off the ground.

With global positioning systems likely to underpin any charging scheme, the report reveals that advanced technology presents an excellent opportunity for government in winning motorists round.

Road pricing would be received even more positively if the technology used also offered motorists a number of driver-friendly features. Anti-theft tracking is the most highly valued facility with 87% of motorists indicating they would like one. Other attractive features include re-routing gizmos to avoid hold-ups (80%), and a panic button that raises the alarm in an emergency (77%).

A full version of the report can be downloaded from www.racnews.co.uk.