Determinants of Car Dependence

This chapter looks at how car dependence varies in Scotland, a highly motorized country. An overview of the factors influencing car dependence and travel and transport choices more generally is developed. Car-dependent places, car-dependant trips and car-dependant persons are distinguished. It is shown that most motorists are already multi-modal transport users with prior experience of other modes. The prospects for modal shift from die-hard drivers, complacent car users, multicontented motorists and aspiring environmentalists are given along with the different policy pulls and pushes required to impact on their car use.