Traffic volumes reach 324bn miles

Between April 2016 and March 2017, traffic volumes reached a new record high of 324.3bn miles in the UK.

According to new research from Goodyear Tyres UK, the stress of getting stuck in traffic has led to almost half (46%) of the population saying they would consider changing their job as a result. Not only that, but with driverless vehicles promising to alter the traffic equation by making commutes more convenient, 40% would consider giving up their city life to move to the suburbs.

With driving speeds in some of the UK’s major cities falling by up to 20% over the last year with commute times on the rise, it may come as no surprise that one in ten motorists claim congestion has caused them to be the most stressed they have ever been in their life.

The research also highlights the everyday impact of getting stuck in a traffic jam on motorists. Nearly two-thirds (58%) have arrived late to work, 37% claim they have sworn, 15% admit to making rude hand gestures and four per cent admit that traffic has made them cry.

Getting stuck in a traffic, however, isn’t all doom-and-gloom for Brits; 28% spend this ‘lost’ time singing in-car karaoke, 26% catch-up with the kids on the back seat and almost a-quarter talk to friends and family via handsfree.

Kate Rock, Goodyear Tyres, comments, ‘With autonomous vehicles promising a future where passengers are free to maximise their travel time, it’s no surprise that Brits are willing to give up what can be a hectic city life in favour of a more relaxed commute.

‘The incentives to live in the suburbs look set to increase and could have a significant impact on the make-up of our cities of the future. Our research reveals that almost one-in-five motorists believe the main benefit of using a driverless car would be the convenience of not having to park. Inadequate parking wastes a fifth of car spaces, so we could end up seeing cities with more parking space, relaxed commuters and as a result, greater levels of wellbeing, simply by taking the stress of parking and commuting away from drivers.’

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