Every day across the UK, traffic delays and road congestion stop Brits’ in their tracks. Whether it’s bad driving, vehicle collisions or the state of the road causing chaos, travel disruptions cause over 1 in 6 Brits to lose over 2 hours each week to traffic. 

The Travel Disruptions Study delves into the nation’s travelling experiences, to reveal the most common causes of transport delay in the UK and how this impacts Brits. 

The study explores the areas and roads with the worst delays, the areas with the most collisions, and the roads and the demographics that cause the most accidents. Off-road, the study also explores the busiest stations and the train services with the worst delays. 

The results revealed:

Lost Travel Time  

1 in 6 Brits will lose 4 months of their life in traffic

This is how long the average Brit spends in traffic

Following a nationwide CarMats.co.uk study, research revealed over a third of Brits are stuck in traffic for 26 hours a year, losing over a half an hour a week and over a day a year to waiting around. Over 1 in 6 also reported being stuck in traffic for 2 hours a week, resulting in over 2 days lost each year to jams.

Over 1 in 6 (17%) of Brits endure congestion for 31 minutes to 1 hour weekly, around 1 in 10 (9%) spend over 1 hour and up to 2 hours in traffic, while 1 in 12 (8%) face more than 2 hours, up to 6 hours in traffic weekly. 

Across the UK, drivers’ traffic experience differed and while a significant proportion experienced a limited time stuck in rush hour, others had wasted an extensive amount of time fixed on the road. 

Worst Cities for Traffic Time

Additional stats from the survey revealed which of the UK’s residents had the most unpleasant time on the road. Surprisingly, London didn’t take the top spot for the city with the worst traffic time, as Edinburgh residents revealed they actually spent the longest time stuck in traffic. 

A close second is Leeds, as nearly a quarter of residents said they spend over an hour in traffic each week - despite having a network of one-way roads designed to manage traffic flow.

London takes third place, while Belfast and Manchester also feature in the top 5 cities whose residents spend the most time in traffic.

By contrast, people in Norwich said they spent the least amount of time stuck in traffic, as only 5% said they spent over an hour in travel congestion every week. 

Traffic levels are up, but still down from pre-pandemic

The impact the pandemic has had on traffic levels has been significant, as people across the world were confined to their homes during a series of worldwide lockdowns. Although many Brits have returned to work and their daily routine as usual, many have adopted a new schedule entirely. 

According to Gov.uk, cars account for 75% of all motor vehicle traffic on British roads over the year ending June 2023. Van traffic has increased in recent years, accounting for 18% of all motor vehicle traffic in these 12 months, lorries account for 5% of all motor vehicle traffic and 1% of traffic came from other motor vehicles including motorcycles and buses.

Recent stats from the year ending September 2023 revealed:

• Car traffic was higher than the previous year but still below pre-pandemic levels
• Van traffic was higher than the previous year and above pre-pandemic levels
• Lorry traffic was lower than the previous year and similar to pre-pandemic levels
  

Has working from home reduced how many of us are on the road?

Due to new flexible or remote work policies, cycle-to-work schemes and car-sharing initiatives, many Brits are experiencing less traffic during rush hours.

According to YouGov, in 2023, 1 in 6 (17%) of workers said they work from home all the time, while a third (33%) say they do so some of the time. With half of workers saying they work from home, there have been fewer commuters on the road during rush hours. This reduction in the number of commuters directly contributes to decreased traffic congestion.

Others are adopting more flexible schedules which also amounts to a reduction in traffic as Brits may be choosing to start their work day earlier or later to avoid peak traffic times. This further disperses the flow of traffic throughout the day and reduces congestion during traditional rush hours.

Not only that but, with fewer people commuting to work, there is less demand for parking spaces too. Reduced demand for parking can lead to less traffic congestion around popular parking areas in and around city centres.

Traffic Offenders 

Craven Arms in Shropshire has the worst average delay time in the UK 

Ever found yourself stuck in what feels like an endless stream of brake lights? Some Brits experience it worse than others, as recent DfT stats reveal where in the UK has the worst delay time. 

The Top 20 Worst Roads for Traffic in the UK

According to the Department for Transport, the A49 northbound route in Shrewsbury, stretching from the B4368 near Craven Arms (north) to the A489, claims the title of the slowest stretch of road in the UK. Traffic moves at an average speed of merely 8.4 miles per hour and has the highest average delay time of 304.8 seconds per vehicle per mile.

From slow stretches of country roads to speedy main roads, the A49 (which features the slowest UK road) is also known for its range in speeds - causing dangerous road incidents.

In the Ludlow Advertiser, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow South, Vivienne Parry said: "The A49 is one of the most dangerous roads in the country and there have been many deaths,” 

If there is a problem with the A49 then it is traffic going too fast. It is a dangerous stretch of road partly because there is a mix of traffic with some cars going very fast along with slow vehicles like tractors but that is what happens in the countryside.”

Other roads that feature in the top five include a section on the A627 (M) in Rochdale, another area of the A49 in Newtown, a section of the A19 southbound in Thirsk and a section on the A27 eastbound in Eastbourne. 

Top 20 Worst Areas in the UK for Collisions

Collisions can happen on busy city streets or quiet country roads but latest Gov.uk data reveals the areas where accidents take place most frequently. 

Taking the top spot for car accidents is Kent which had the most vehicle collisions, the latest data revealed there were 3,457 incidents in this area in 2021.

When looking at data, Kent places first for the most vehicle collisions. Busy roads and its proximity to London mean it’s a hotspot for traffic, which could be part of the reason for its high number of collisions.

A Freedom of Information request by CarMats.co.uk also revealed that Kent had the highest number of drink drivers as a reported 181 drivers failed their breathalyser tests in 2022, compared to only 44 drink drivers in Birmingham, which came in third place. This could be another reason for the high number of car accidents. 

Worst Types of Roads & Speed Limits for Collisions

Built up roads with 30MPH speed limits have the most accidents 

When it comes to road safety, understanding the correlation between road types, speed limits, and collision rates is key. Using Gov.uk data, research reveals the characteristics of roads that pose the greatest risks for accidents. 

Types of roads and their collision rates

Built-up roads with a speed limit of 30 mph had the highest number of collisions overall. Several factors could be the cause of the incidents - as built-up areas tend to have higher population densities, this can lead to increased traffic volume on roads. With more vehicles sharing limited road space, the likelihood of collisions can rise.

Despite the lower speed limits typically imposed in built-up areas (such as the 30 mph limit), compliance with these limits can vary among drivers. Some may exceed the speed limit, while others may adhere to the appropriate speed. The combination of differing speeds within close proximity can increase the likelihood of collisions, especially at intersections and areas with distractions and limited visibility.

Men caused more accidents than women

As well as road type, Gov.uk data also revealed which gender was to blame for the most accidents. Of all drivers, men were 27% more likely to cause a crash; this higher rate was also supported by the CarMats.co.uk study which revealed 14% of men admitted to causing a car accident, compared to only 7% of women. 

Men and women in their 30s caused the most car accidents 

This study delved into who's behind the wheel of car accidents in the UK and Gov.uk research found that that men and women in their 30s were the cause of the most collisions. By contrast, the study found that the UK’s oldest and youngest female drivers are involved in the fewest accidents.

Millennial men were responsible for the most accidents and were behind the wheel of over 6,000 collisions - millennial women followed slightly behind as they were responsible for 5,120 collisions. 

The UK’s youngest and oldest female drivers were the most cautious motorists as they each were responsible for less than 2,000 collisions, as reported in the latest Government data.

Peugeot drivers admit to causing the most crashes 

Following research from the CarMats.co.uk study, stats revealed which drivers were the worst traffic offenders.

In a survey of over 1,200 drivers, over 1 in 5 (21%) Peugeot drivers admitted that they were the cause of a car accident they were involved in, this was compared to only 7% of BMW drivers. 

Skoda, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, and SEAT drivers were also among those who ranked highly for causing a significant number of car accidents.

Train Delays & Commuter Chaos 

Train delays and cancellations have become increasingly common occurrences for passengers across Britain. Strikes, coping with the demand, aged infrastructure and rail issues are all factors causing schedule setbacks and commuter chaos - but which stations and operators have the worst track record?

The study examines the most frequently used stations in each region based on the Office of Rail & Road statistics and assesses their efficiency using On Time Trains data to determine which railways are performing the most and least effectively.

Top 20 Worst Train Stations for Delays 

Durham has the least efficient train services 

Brits have become accustomed to train delays, but some areas of the UK experience delays worse than others. 

Of the top 20 worst train stations for delays, Durham ranks first place. The University town grapples with the reputation of having the region's least efficient train network.

Data by On Time Trains reveals that the most popular stations in the North of England, the Midlands, and Wales have the least efficient services, as they feature in the 20 worst performing stations. This included stations such as Swansea, York and Coventry. Poor punctuality left the bottom 5 with an inadequate punctuality score of less than 70% last year.

Most Efficient British Train Stations 

Chelmsford has the timeliest services in Britain

The On Time Trains data revealed Chelmsford, in Essex, stands out as a beacon of reliability in Britain's railway network. With a score of 95% efficiency, Chelmsford boasts some of the timeliest train services of the 55 most popular across the country. 

The South of England and Scotland appear to have the most efficient services as 15 of the top 20 feature in the list of the most efficient services. 

Busiest stations in Great Britain 

London Liverpool Street is the busiest station in the UK

With a staggering 80,400,000 visits annually, London Liverpool Street claims the title of the UK's busiest train station. Serving as the capital's prime hub, it attracts countless commuters, tourists, and travellers. It is among the top 10 stations, all of which are located in London.

Outside of London, Birmingham New Street takes top spot for the busiest station and features among other popular stations such as Leeds station and Manchester Piccadilly. 

The Worst Train Operators in the UK 

Grand Central is the least efficient rail operator in the UK

When it comes to train travel in the UK, not all operators are created equal. Some have gained a reputation for being the worst in the business. 

Using data from the Office of Rail & Road, during Q1 and Q2 of 2023 - 2024, this study reveals which rail operators are leaving passengers the most dissatisfied. 

From frequent delays to cancellations, the Grand Central rail service has ranked poorly for its time efficiency, coming in top spot for the least number of on-time trains and the most number of cancellations. 

Also featuring in the top 5 is Cross Country (which scored the same high score as the Grand Central for its cancellation rate), Avanti West Coast, Transpennine Express and East Midlands rail.

By contrast, the Great Anglia train operator had the most efficient service in the UK with 87% of its trains running on time and only a 1% cancellation rate. 

Conclusion

The Travel Disruptions Study shows that when it comes to delays, Brits face obstruction on a daily basis. It reveals that delays have become an all too common occurrence, disrupting the routines of individuals whether they are travelling via road or rail. 

These travel delays not only cause inconvenience but also contribute to increased potential disruptions to daily schedules. As such, the study sheds light on the offenders behind some of the UK’s worst causes of traffic and travel delays. 

These insights remind us that addressing these issues is key to improving the overall quality of transportation infrastructure and enhancing the commuting experience for all.

Methodology

1. Driving Habits study - Research conducted by CarMats.co.uk team who surveyed 1,366 UK drivers using Censuswide
2. The traffic lifetime stat was calculated by finding out the time lost per year then multiplying that by the average lifetime (82 years) minus the minimum driving age (17 years). 
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/road-traffic-estimates-in-great-britain-2022/road-traffic-estimates-in-great-britain-2022-headline-statistics
4. https://yougov.co.uk/society/articles/47779-half-of-workers-now-working-from-home-at-least-some-of-the-time
5. https://dft.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=7dc08398c2934ef99284a575b948f7de
6. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/reported-road-accidents-vehicles-and-casualties-tables-for-great-britain#geographical-breakdowns-ras04

Fair use statement 

If you want to share our study, any findings or images from the study, please credit with a link to this page.