Credit Crunch Cuts Congestion

Being stuck in a traffic jam is one of the biggest nightmares that UK motorists face when setting off on a journey - especially if it is already predicted to be a long trip. But recent studies have shown that due to the credit crunch traffic congestion has dropped by around 15%, as people are losing their jobs or simply using cheaper modes of transport.

Congestion Reduced:

It has been revealed that the credit crunch coupled with sky-high fuel prices have eased congestion on major roads. Traffic congestion on UK motorways has reported to have reduced by 12% in 2008. As well as volume, speed has also reduced from 63.3mph to 62.2mph, as a result of drivers going slower to conserve fuel.

It is thought that money saving initiatives such as working from home and car sharing has aided the drive to cut down congestion as well as costs. The AA has reported falling numbers in congestion, but have also commented that “congestion is falling but that is due to the recession, fuel prices and unemployment. The motor vehicle is an integral part of British culture we rely on whether getting to work, taking the kids to school or delivering goods. So when times are hard it is with reluctance we look at ways of cutting down on car journeys.”

As the recession hits us all hard, many people are taking their holidays in the UK instead of splashing out and going abroad, which means more traffic on the roads during holidays and end of term. With more holidaying in the UK and choosing weekend breaks, Friday is the only day of the week when levels have risen.

The trend of increasing congestion over the past 20 years was broken for the first time in the post-credit crunch period, with the last two years showing dramatic drops in congestion levels on motorways. With 14% of motorists now choosing to use public transport to reduce travelling costs as well as those now sharing a single car, the number of vehicles on the road has diminished; meaning congestion is no longer a concern for existing motorists.

Recession rules:

One obvious explanation for the decrease in congestion is that rising fuel prices and general economic concerns are making people think carefully about how they drive and how much they spend on driving.

The AA have emphasised the need to keep investing in road infrastructure, so that when the economy is thriving again there will be a network able to support the greater number of cars that are bound to return to the roads.

The main advantage of less traffic is a drop in congestion levels, meaning motorists can get from A to B quicker while travelling at lower and more economical speeds. It really is a case where less haste can mean more speed.