Road traffic estimates 2010

Publisher:Department for Transport
Published date: 30 June 2011
Type:Release
Statistics topic:Foreign registered vehicles, Major roads, Minor roads, Road traffic

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Please note that the road traffic estimates in this release have since been revised as a result of the planned minor road benchmarking project. The revised road traffic estimates were published on 9 February 2012 and can be accessed at the Road traffic estimates 2010 (revised) page.

Summary

This statistical release presents road traffic estimates for Great Britain in 2010.

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Key points

  • In 2010 the overall motor vehicle traffic volume in Great Britain was 308.1 billion vehicle miles, down by 5.1 billion vehicle miles from last year.
  • Car traffic was 243.8 billion vehicle miles in 2010, accounting for 79.1 per cent of all motor vehicle traffic. Car traffic has accounted for about 80 per cent of all motor vehicle traffic since 1980. In 2010 car traffic was 2.1 per cent lower than in 2009, but 4.1 per cent higher than 2000.
  • Light van traffic increased by 0.9 per cent between 2009 and 2010 to 41.8 billion vehicle miles. This was 28.6 per cent higher than 2000. Light van traffic showed the greatest increase in traffic volume in 2010.
  • In 2010 heavy goods vehicle traffic was 16.4 billion vehicle miles. This represents a 0.3 per cent increase from 2009, although heavy goods vehicle traffic levels remain 6.3 per cent lower than in 2000.
  • In 2010 20 per cent of traffic was on motorways, 28 per cent on rural ‘A’ roads, 16 per cent on urban ‘A’ roads, 14 per cent on rural minor roads and 22 per cent on urban minor roads.

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