The three pie charts illustrate the proportions of four categories of vehicles used in the UK in 1965, 1985, and 2005.
Overall, private cars were the most widely used form of transport throughout the period, and their share increased steadily. In contrast, recreational vehicles became less common, while lorries remained stable before declining, and public transport showed a slight downward trend.
In 1965, private cars accounted for 40% of all vehicles in the UK, and this figure rose to 55% by 1985 before reaching 60% in 2005, making them the dominant means of transport. Lorries and other commercial vehicles represented 20% in both 1965 and 1985, but their share fell by half to 10% in 2005.
Public transport, which stood at one-quarter in 1965, dropped slightly to 20% in 1985 and 22% in 2005. Recreational vehicles, however, recorded the most significant decline, falling from 15% in 1965 to 8% in both 1985 and 2005.
