Economy 'go slow' speeds up journeys

High fuel prices, the credit crunch and the economic slowdown have given motorists a break from congestion, with jams down 12 per cent on 2007, according to Trafficmaster and the RAC Foundation.

The massive fall in congestion is the key finding of the Trafficmaster/RAC Foundation Journey Time Index, published today (26 August), which shows evidence that as motorists and companies start to cut down their motoring expenditure, congestion is reducing and journey times are getting quicker.

Overall traffic congestion across Britain's motorways and trunk roads has reduced by 12% compared to the same last six months (January to June) in 2007.

The average speed on Britain's motorways has slowed from 63.3 mph to 62.2 mph over the last year as motorists aim to conserve fuel.

Even though motorists have slowed down; in the last year (2008 compared to 2007) journey times have got faster by -0.3% as a result of clearer roads. However journeys times have increased by 2.6% since 2005.

Georgina Read at Trafficmaster comments: "Our traffic monitoring network shows the start of a change in driving patterns and behaviour over the past six to twelve months. Average motorway speeds have reduced as has congestion - this indicates a reduction in the volume of vehicles, especially HGV's, travelling on the roads. One obvious explanation for this is that rising fuel prices and general economic concerns are making people think carefully about how they drive. The upshot 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."

Overall the route with the most dramatic decrease in congestion is the M25 Northern sector between junctions 21 and 31, with a 26% reduction in traffic jams over 12 month period from June 2007 to June 2008 compared to same period the year before.

This change in traffic trends is down to a general drop in the number of vehicles, particularly heavy goods vehicles, travelling at peak times. This could in part be due to the downturn in the retail and construction industries that predominately make up the commercial vehicle segment. The completion of a number of major road works also plays a major part in the dramatic decrease in congestion.

Sheila Rainger, Head of Campaigns at the RAC Foundation, concludes: "The fall in congestion is good news in an otherwise bleak picture for UK motorists and shows that motorists are moving journeys out of peak hours where possible. However, this altered pattern of demand can only be a breathing space for policymakers, and does not remove the case for investment in a package of congestion-busting measures, including action to tackle bottlenecks, and properly planned additional capacity on the UK's strategic network. Until these long-term improvements are in place, motorists can achieve a more reliable journey by planning ahead and making small adjustments to avoid the jams."

The Journey Time Index monitors 26 major routes across the UK over the last three years. It also looks at the rise and fall in congestion with reference to the worst traffic hotspots across the country. As a summer issue the Index also publishes data on the most congested holiday routes and identifies the events and festivals that have the biggest impact on the country's roads.