Australians spend most of their time commuting to and from one place to another. Since we spend most of our time on the go, we have developed a few habits that have turned our cars and public transport into a second home away from home. Some habits are must have t make the trip more enjoyable while some might irk other commuters. But what type of a commuter are you?
400 hrs are spent commuting in your car
How long it takes for you to commute from one point to another influence various factors. Not only does it take time, but it also costs you money. Research revealed that when it comes to commuting 83% of Australians spend an hour in their cars every day. This is 400 hrs spent commuting in a year if you own a car.
This can affect how much you end up paying in fuel costs. The average Australian drives an average of 13,200 km a year and spends a total of $1,737 on fuel. If you have a car insurance policy for your car, the amount of diving you do will influence your premiums. The more time spent driving is more likely to increase your premiums, therefore choosing shorter routes that are safe can work in your favour.
Your car is where your heart is
Our cars have become an escapism space where we can lose ourselves for a few minutes to our thoughts, entertainment, and a few munches on our favourite snack. There are a few things that Aussies cannot do without when travelling to and from locations.
73% of us want to be entertained on our commute. Whether you jack up the audio to blast our favourite tunes. 46% of drivers tend to multitask on their trips. Aussies that use public transport are more likely to keep themselves entertained (82%) and productive (63%) compared to commuters that drive.
However, there are habits that are dangerous that can cause accidents. According to News.com, 70% of Australians engage in dangerous activities that can cause them to be distracted while behind the wheel. It only takes seconds to be distracted to cause a disaster. Dangerous habits that Australians engage in are:
- Eating behind the wheel (47%)
- Texting while driving (28%)
- Answering a call without using hands-free (27%)
- Applying Make-up (14%)
Cutting down the costs
Aussies sure do love a bargain, and anything that reduces costs is most welcomed. When it comes to cutting down the cost of commuting more Australians are resolving to ride-sharing services. Not only are ride-sharing services convenient, but it also helps you save a couple of dollars that can be used elsewhere. So far ride-sharing services in Australia have accumulated (US) $447 million in 2018.
Ride-sharing service appears to be on the increase. Revenue on ride-sharing services is predicted to grow by 3.8% in the next 4 years, generating a total of (US) $519 million. 1 in 10 Australians have used a ride-sharing service while 2 in 10 see themselves using such services in future.
The best way to get the most out of such services is to see what is suitable for your type of commuting. What might work for one person might not work for you. Various factors such as the distance and time it takes to get you to and from your destination will influence whether ride-sharing services are the way to go for you.