Key findings in the year ending September 2019 compared to the year ending September 2018:

• All motor vehicle traffic increased by 0.8%.
•  Car traffic increased by 1.5% to 258.0 billion vehicle miles. Van and lorry traffic decreased by 1.4% and 1.1%, respectively. 
• Traffic on motorways and 'A' roads increased by 0.9% and 1.2%, respectively. Traffic on minor roads remained broadly stable (increasing very slightly by 0.2%).

    Source: DfT statistical release

Vehicle type

• Car and taxi traffic increased by 1.5% to 258.0 billion vehicle miles (bvm) compared to the year ending September 2018. Car traffic rolling annual estimates were similar with those for the year ending June 2019.
• Van traffic decreased by 1.4% to 50.4 bvm compared to the year ending September 2018. Van traffic rolling annual estimates have been decreasing since reaching a peak of 51.2 bvm last year.
• Lorry traffic decreased by 1.1% to 16.9 bvm compared to the year ending September 2018. However, in the last five years there has been steady growth in lorry traffic (+5.8%).

Road type 

•  Motorway traffic increased by 0.9% to 68.9 bvm.
•  ‘A’ road traffic increased by 1.2% to 150.3 bvm.
• Minor road traffic remained broadly stable (increasing very slightly by 0.2% to 110.2 bvm).

To view the full statistical release click here.  

Read a blog post discussing issues raised by increased vehicle traffic.