THE RAC has welcomed National Liftshare Day, part of Green Transport Week, as a good way of improving people’s awareness of the benefits of car sharing.

The aim of the day is to promote car sharing for everyone as a cost effective and environmentally friendly form of transport.

Susie Haywood, from the RAC, said: "Britain is a car dependent nation, with 24 million cars on our roads - but over the next 20 years car traffic is predicted to grow by more than one third.

"Unless there is a committed effort to reducing the number of cars, we will have more traffic jams, the rush hour will last all day, driving will become even more stressful and our health and environment will suffer.

Motorists recognise that there are ways of encouraging the use of alternative modes of transport but in reality many are not prepared to give up the flexibility and convenience of using their own cars when and where they want.

"In 2001 only 2 per cent of drivers thought promotion of car sharing was an option to easing congestion, so there will have to be a major shift in drivers' opinions before it becomes more popular.”

But car sharing can significantly reduce the environmental damage caused by transport, whether it is on a regular or occasional basis. It can also have significant financial benefits by reducing petrol costs and wear and tear on vehicles.