Less traffic on the roads due to fuel costs? My ****!
Discussion
I seem to recall recently reading articles stating that fuel sales are down and there are less cars on the road - indeed I've read posts by PHers stating that there's less traffic on the roads.
Where is this taking place? I'm an IT contractor and commute over the M62 to Leeds every day and have done so for seven or eight years out of the last 15. Traffic volumes are just going up and up and up - a lot! Even the difference between last November and this November is really marked - last year leaving home at 6.30 it'd take 40 minutes for the 34 miles. The exact same trip is now over an hour.
So who is seeing less traffic?
Where is this taking place? I'm an IT contractor and commute over the M62 to Leeds every day and have done so for seven or eight years out of the last 15. Traffic volumes are just going up and up and up - a lot! Even the difference between last November and this November is really marked - last year leaving home at 6.30 it'd take 40 minutes for the 34 miles. The exact same trip is now over an hour.
So who is seeing less traffic?
MJK 24 said:
You're on a particularly busy stretch. I do 85k per annum and see a marked decrease compared to a few years ago.
Petrol sales are down nearly 15% aren't they?
A friend who sells tyres says that sales are down as people are using their cars less.
15% - Newer more efficient cars, people driving slower in general. I don't think any more than 5% can be attributed to less cars on the road.Petrol sales are down nearly 15% aren't they?
A friend who sells tyres says that sales are down as people are using their cars less.
As for tyre sales, there are more people going to Kwikfit type places, or online tyre suppliers who do mobile fittings. Some may be leaving it longer before changing. Depends on what kind of tyre sales he is in - if it is a local tyre shop kind of place, it is an even worse indicator than fuel.
On the routes that I have been doing regularly over the last 2-3 years, I have only seen a reduction in speed and an increase in MLMs, no reduction in traffic.
Most of my driving is done during normal commuting type hours, so there might be a reduction in traffic outside of these hours, which I would not have seen.
I agree with the OP. I do the M4 everyday. Have been doing on and off for the last 10 years, usually from Reading to Heathrow area.
I actually asked in the office earlier this week where the f
k the recession was because the roads down here are just ramping up and up in the volume of traffic.
I must be close to spending almost as much time sat stationary as I am moving now as the M4 just clogs up.
I actually asked in the office earlier this week where the f
k the recession was because the roads down here are just ramping up and up in the volume of traffic.I must be close to spending almost as much time sat stationary as I am moving now as the M4 just clogs up.
Kickstart said:
I do wonder whether people are being forced back onto the road due to the high cost of train fares and the increase in the definition of peak time. I know that I am driving a bit more as the cost of peak time rail travel is substantial.
Actually that's a very valid point - using the train is not only unfeasibly slow it's also very expensive. There isn't really a choice. And the bazillion elephant racing lorries still need to move no matter what. Perhaps those seeing a decrease are doing so where there is an option to get around by another means?
People are driving slower I am sure, on motorways etc, but hence are leavign earlier and giving themselves more time, so the traffic is showing up earlier.
I've done some 3.30am starts to go over to Europe in the last few weeks and it just amazes me how many other idiots like me are about at 4am! It's not right!
WTF is everyone going....!
I've done some 3.30am starts to go over to Europe in the last few weeks and it just amazes me how many other idiots like me are about at 4am! It's not right!
WTF is everyone going....!
rllmuk said:
Are people just going slower for better MPG? I know it's never this simple, but it must contribute to a point?
Yes, depending on the car it can make a big difference.In my van I drive at 70 on the Mway as its 10mpg better than at 80.
And at bang on 70 I've been the fastest vehicle on the M42 on a few occassions which would never have happened a few yrs ago.
Dog Star said:
Actually that's a very valid point - using the train is not only unfeasibly slow it's also very expensive. There isn't really a choice. And the bazillion elephant racing lorries still need to move no matter what.
Perhaps those seeing a decrease are doing so where there is an option to get around by another means?
I had to go to London yesterday - it was a close call between driving and taking the train.Perhaps those seeing a decrease are doing so where there is an option to get around by another means?
The costs would have been very close either way - and I would not have had to put up with the stampede for the first off-peak train after 5pm.
In the end, I took the train because I didn't fancy trying to find parking near Wimpole street/Oxford circus area.
If I was travelling to an area that I was more familiar with, it would be the car every time.
There was a time when the costs were comparable were comparable when two people were travelling together. Now even with one person, on the day ticket prices seem about the same as taking my car.
I noticed this the other day am I the only person who wants to travel at 100 leptons on the motorway nowadays I feel a bit scared to do so now that I'm the only one waiting to be plucked off by a waiting police car so rarely speed anymore. Before I was like a single antelope among hundreds of dumber audi driving antelope or cannon fodder as I like to call them
sinizter said:
On the routes that I have been doing regularly over the last 2-3 years, I have only seen a reduction in speed and an increase in MLMs, no reduction in traffic.
I do about 30K miles per year mainly on motorway runs and I'd sgree with that. I know it a complicated subject, but to some extent slower speeds reduces the capacity of the road, so maybe that's making a difference?Often on the M6 heading North I can make better progress in Lane 1 than the MLM and yesterday it was same on M62 heading West.
sinizter said:
Most of my driving is done during normal commuting type hours, so there might be a reduction in traffic outside of these hours, which I would not have seen.
Nope, the roads now seem pretty busy all day - I'd love to stop people and ask where they're going? They can't all be driving to meetings!Dog Star said:
I seem to recall recently reading articles stating that fuel sales are down and there are less cars on the road - indeed I've read posts by PHers stating that there's less traffic on the roads.
Where is this taking place? I'm an IT contractor and commute over the M62 to Leeds every day and have done so for seven or eight years out of the last 15. Traffic volumes are just going up and up and up - a lot! Even the difference between last November and this November is really marked - last year leaving home at 6.30 it'd take 40 minutes for the 34 miles. The exact same trip is now over an hour.
So who is seeing less traffic?
well I'm one of the 'less' nowadays - only drive if I absolutely have to, otherwise it's push bike for me! Just can't afford to put fuel in the car, even when I can I can't afford to park it anywhere!!Where is this taking place? I'm an IT contractor and commute over the M62 to Leeds every day and have done so for seven or eight years out of the last 15. Traffic volumes are just going up and up and up - a lot! Even the difference between last November and this November is really marked - last year leaving home at 6.30 it'd take 40 minutes for the 34 miles. The exact same trip is now over an hour.
So who is seeing less traffic?
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