Motorways less congested despite increasing car numbers

Congestion levels on British motorways are falling because of the cost of fuel, despite the number of cars on the road actually increasing.

The Environmental Transport Association (ETA) has revealed that congestion figures have fallen by 12 per cent after the recent increases in the cost of petrol and diesel.

Despite this, the overall number of cars in Britain is increasing.

The ETA believes fuel prices and emissions-based vehicle excise duty, plus increasing environmental awareness, have led to big changes in the driving habits on UK motorists.

However, it is also concerned that unless drivers begin to 'pay as they go', reduced congestion on major roads will attract additional traffic.

Andrew David, director at the ETA, said: "Congestion might be down, but it is wrong to assume that it is simply because there is less traffic - when cars on motorways are driven carefully they not only produce less harmful emissions, they cause less congestion.

"The fact that the most impressive recent drop in congestion has been on a section of the M25 that does not yet have the highly effective variable speed limits that are in place elsewhere on the motorway, illustrates the gains to be made by a self-imposed careful driving style."