How Long Do Drivers Spend in Traffic

New research reveals that drivers in England lose nearly 40 hours annually due to road delays, equivalent to over 2,200 minutes spent stuck behind the wheel. The study, utilising Department for Transport (DfT) figures on average road delays per vehicle mile and DVLA mileage data from 2022, calculated the annual time lost for each driver.

A well-known comparison website conducted the data analysis, considering delays on the strategic road network, including major motorways and A-roads. Surprisingly, the data showed that most hours are wasted on local A-roads.

On average, private and motor trade drivers experience a loss of 31 hours to delays on local authority motorways and A-roads annually.

Meanwhile, motorists spend over six hours dealing with delays on the strategic road network managed by National Highways, which is equivalent to just under 400 minutes or 24,000 seconds.

This means drivers collectively lost a day and a half due to delays in 2022.

The cumulative impact of delays across the country is staggering, with the equivalent of more than 55 million days lost yearly, totalling 1.3 billion hours, 79.2 billion minutes, or over 4.7 trillion seconds.

Some drivers are lucky enough to have road recovery insurance. Breakdown recovery experts advise you to plan your journey and consider alternative routes, especially if delays are expected.

Checking the vehicle’s oil and coolant levels before setting off, and when driving during winter, include extra warm clothing, food, drink and a fully charged mobile phone.

Regional breakdowns reveal Greater Manchester has the slowest A-roads, with drivers here losing over 46 hours to delays annually. This equates to under two days, or 2,766 minutes and 166,000 seconds. The A6043 in Tameside stands out as the worst A-road in the UK, experiencing delays of over 120 seconds per vehicle mile. On the strategic road network, the West Midlands suffers the most substantial setbacks, with drivers losing just over half a day due to delays.

In contrast, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough enjoy smoother trips, experiencing just over 17 hours of delays across the year, over a full day less than Greater Manchester. These figures emphasise the significant regional disparities in road delays.

Despite our frustrations caused by road delays, they do not directly impact private or motor trade insurance policies. However, living in areas with heavy traffic may indirectly influence insurance premiums. Factors such as accident frequency during traffic congestion can contribute to higher premiums. Notably, the North West and the West Midlands have been identified as the most expensive places for car insurance policies outside of the M25, with average premiums over £600, respectively.

While road delays may play a role, other factors like crime and parking conditions also contribute to insurance pricing. It is advisable to always shop around for a competitive quote and a reliable insurance broker.