1997/98 Travel Survey Highlights - drivers and passengers

Drivers

Between 1989/90 and 1997/98, total distance driven has increased by one third. This is partly due to an increase in the number of driving-age New Zealanders.

• Overall mobility has also increased. On average, people in all age groups are driving further than in 1989/90.
• People in the 35-49 age groups do the most driving.
• Men make up just under half of the driving-age population. However, they do 61% of the total distance driven in cars and vans.
• Most driving trips are short. One third are under 2 km long and two thirds are under 6 km. Men do more long driving trips than women.

Most driving trips are short. One third are under 2 km long and two thirds are under 6 km. Men do more long driving trips than women.

Passengers

• Between 1989/90 and 1997/98, total passenger travel in cars, vans and utes increased by 15%.
• Children under five do more passenger travel per person than any other age group. (The 1989/90 survey did not include children under five, so there is no estimate from that survey for this group).
• As might be expected, all children under driving age do a lot of passenger travelling. Fifteen to 24 year olds, who are less likely than older people to own their own car, also do a significant amount. Unlike younger children, this group may be driven by friends in the same age group as well as by parents.

Bus and taxi trips

Teenagers are the heaviest users of buses. Almost half of all bus trips are made by this age group.

Taxis account for only 1% of passenger travel, with people in their 20s and 30s the heaviest users.

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