Does National Policy Influence Individual Car Driving Behavior: A Cross-National Study of the European Union

This study examines how the national policy climate affects individual driving behavior in the European Union. Using secondary data from the International Social Survey Program: Environment II 2000 in conjunction with national scores from the 2001 and 2002 Environmental Sustainability Indexes, I analyze the relationship between three macro-level predictors and the reduction of individual car driving. My results indicate that the national environmental policy climate positively relates with the likelihood of individuals driving less. Further individual’s likelihood to reduce car driving is significantly affected by the individual’s type of employment, education level, family income level, gender, age, and concerns toward the danger of air pollution for the environment and the respondent. Variables measuring respondent urbanicity, religiosity, and union/marriage status do not significantly affect individual driving behavior.