Traffic on UK roads has dropped significantly due to the recession and the debt problems of motorists, according to latest research.
The five year study by the AA, shows a fall in motorway and truck-road congestion by almost a third – the first drop in congestion for 20 years.
According to their figures, there was a 15% fall in rush hour congestion, contributed by a quarter of commuters that lost their jobs doing so within the last year.
Reduced numbers on the roads was put down to rising unemployment, the rise in petrol prices affecting the number of car journeys taken and also people choosing to work from home in an effort to save money.
A fifth of commuters surveyed said that hard times had made them work from home, in a bid to save on travel costs.
They also found that Friday’s bucked the trend and saw a rise in traffic congestion, as more people choose to holiday in the UK rather than take expensive holidays aborad.
A spokesperson for the AA said: “The report brings both good news and bad news. 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.”
Ivan Cooper, Chairman at leading debt management company Chiltern, said: “With unemployment and fuel costs still increasing, congestion could drop further still as more people become financially more prudent.
“People who are already struggling financially may think twice before making unnecessary journeys, and in some circumstances they may need to reconsider if they can actually afford a car.
“Before deciding to sell their car though, they should seek some impartial debt advice, as it may not be necessary to offload their vehicle to solve any debt problems – there are alternative options to consider.”
The AA warns that congestion is most likely to grow again, in line with the economic recovery.