New statistics on travel habits of British people

Figures released by the Department for Transport of the British government show that British residents travelled an average 10,900 km per year in the period 1999/2001, that is to say an increase by 5% in comparison to 1989/1991, mainly owing to an increase of 13% of the length of trips.

Car travel accounted for 80% of the total distance travelled. 60% of cars on the roads had only occupant, and for commuting and business travel, the rate was 84%.

28% of British households did not have access to a car, compared with 33% ten years before.

82% of adult men had full car driving licences, but only 60% of women.

Walking fell by 20% during the 1990’s, and now accounts for under 3% of the total distance travelled. The proportion of children walking to school has declined from 62 to 54% with an increase from 27 to 39% in the numbers being driven to school.

The number of local bus trips made outside London has dropped by 30% since 1989, whereas the number of London bus trips rose by 25% during the same period.