New figures from the Department for Transport show overall traffic levels in the year ending June 2023 were higher than in year ending June 2022, but below pre-pandemic levels.
It shows there were 328.2 billion vehicle miles driven in the year, 2.3% above last year but still 1.4% below the year to June 2018, five years ago.
However van use is up 12.2% compared to five years ago.
IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy Nicholas Lyes explained: “The combination of flexible working patterns and high fuel prices have left overall traffic volumes still lagging pre-pandemic levels. However, commercial driving appears to be bucking the trend with van mileage over 10% up on pre-Covid volumes. This quite clearly shows how rapidly the home delivery market is expanding, yet with this comes additional safety risks for those that might be unaccustomed to driving larger vehicles. This can be addressed by additional training and skills which would ultimately have road safety benefits.”
Motorway miles driven are now nearly one per cent above their level in the year to June 2018, however A road and minor road traffic are still around two per cent below.
See the figures here.
(Picture – Yay Images)
