Despite having the shortest distances in the EU, the Maltese are among the highest users of personal cars, according to the latest EU survey.

A Eurobarometer survey shows that 70 per cent of Maltese respondents said they used their cars daily to travel around. Only 21 per cent used public transport and seven per cent said they usually walked.

In the EU, while the percentage of those using public transport is at the same level as Malta – an average of 19 per cent – those using their car account for 54 per cent.

The only other member states with a higher use of private cars for daily travels than Malta were Ireland (73 per cent) and Slovenia (71 per cent).

Walking is preferred by 14 per cent – twice as much as Malta – and eight per cent said they commuted by bicycle.

42% of Maltese respondents said they do not use public transport due to lack of punctuality and inadequate routes. About 35 per cent named frequency.

82% of Maltese respondents mentioned traffic congestion as their biggest daily headache compared to 60% in the EU.