MORE than two-thirds of company car drivers are prepared to accept strong measures to tackle congestion such as road pricing, but expect road improvements and tax concessions in return.

A massive 83% of drivers in a survey carried out by the RAC in its Report on Motoring 2006 believe congestion is getting worse, and as a result many would be prepared to do their work under the watchful eye of road pricing, but want a trade-off on tax, investment in roads and improvements in public transport.

The RAC is now calling on the Government to work more closely with employers to improve workplace travel plans, take positive action by offering financial trade-offs to company car drivers to make a persuasive case for road pricing, lead the debate to mandate in-car technology and provide incentives to motorists to encourage take-up and commit to improvements in public transport.

Debbie Hewitt, managing director, RAC, said: ‘Company car drivers are sending a clear signal to the 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.

‘The Government must act now to seize this opportunity to win over road users.

The Government claims that any road pricing scheme would be revenue neutral, but experts believe that company car drivers, who generally do higher mileages, would be disproportionately hit by such schemes.