One in six British families sold their second car in 2011 due to the rising cost of fuel, it emerged yesterday.
A study found millions of cash strapped Brits are now looking at ways of slashing living costs, with motoring the main focus of belt tightening.
Additionally, more than nine out of ten families who own two cars have considering getting rid of one to keep costs down.
The research also showed mums feeling the pinch have been leaving the car at home - and walking to school amid sky high petrol and insurance prices.
Andy Dingley, from Bridgestone UK, which commissioned the research into the behaviour of 2,000 families said: ''Rising fuel prices mean that a large proportion of the family wage is spent purely on things like petrol, gas and electricity.
''But with prices increasing faster than the rate of people's incomes, families are having to make extremely difficult decisions.
''The balancing act for a family nowadays does not leave much room for manoeuvre financially which can have a knock on effect on people's peace of mind.
''This affects every part of people's lives - including how and when they drive.''
Nearly 70 per cent of those polled said they were actively trying to use their car less now than they were a year ago.
And nearly half said they felt unable to fill up their petrol tank because they were so short of cash
A quarter of families said they are considering sacrificing heating their home in order to keep their car on the road.
The number of mums who use a car to do the school run has dropped with many now preferring to walk.
Other ways which mums report trying to cut costs are by buying own brand food from supermarkets, turning off the heating and lights and treating the kids less.
Nearly half said they had considered buying a car that uses alternative fuels as a result and nearly two thirds said they would consider electric cars.
