3. Who travels most often?
Respondents with household incomes over £40,000 p.a. were more likely to have travelled on the previous day [Figure 1] as were respondents in full-time employment.
Figure 1: Adults reporting travel on the previous day, 2005/2006
Gender and Age
3.1 The percentage of adults who reported travelling on the previous day consistently fell since 1999 (9 percentage points), despite a similar sample size [ Table 8]. This drop occurred across all age bands and both genders.
3.2 Respondents over 80 were the least likely to have travelled on the previous day (39 per cent compared to the adult average of 69 per cent). Two-thirds of all female respondents had travelled on the previous day, slightly lower than their male respondents, a pattern apparent across all ages. [ Table 8, Table 10]
Figure 2: Adults reporting travel, age bands, 2005/2006
3.3 The largest percentage of journeys were reported by those aged 30-49. [Figure 2]
Income and Employment
3.4 Unsurprisingly, employed workers were the most likely to have travelled on the previous day (81 per cent). The unemployed and the permanently sick/disabled reported the smallest percentage of journeys (52 and 53 per cent, respectively).
3.5 Just over half the respondents in low income households (up to £10,000 p.a.) reported travelling on the previous day. This is much lower than high income households (over £40,000 p.a.), which reported 83 per cent of adults making a journey on the previous day. [Figure 1]
Area Type
3.6 A similar correlation existed in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation quintiles - households in the lowest (most deprived) quintile recorded 63 per cent of adults travelling on the previous day, compared to 74 per cent in the highest (least deprived) quintile.
3.7 There was little difference between urban/rural classification and the percentage journeys recorded, varying from two-thirds of respondents living in large urban areas to 73 per cent for respondents in accessible rural areas.
Car Access and Ownership
3.8 Access to a car significantly affected whether or not a respondent made a journey on the previous day. Households with no access to a car were less likely to make a journey than households with access to a car. Respondents without a full driving licence also reported a smaller fraction of journeys than respondents with full driving licences. [Figure 3]
Figure 3: Number of adults travelling by car availability, 2005/2006
3.9 Car ownership and household income were also linked. In general, high income households owned more cars than lower income households. The median distance travelled is dependent on both income and car ownership. [Figure 4]
Figure 4: Median distance 1 of journeys, 2005/2006
1Some data points are not shown as they are based on information from the SHS obtained in respect of fewer than 100 people.