British drivers increase annual mileage
Mon 1st August 2005
UK motorists increased the average annual distance they travelled in 2004 to 6,800 miles.
According to the Department for Transport's National Travel Survey, the average length of trips by UK drivers rose 12 per cent from 6.1 miles to 6.8 miles, compared to 1992/94.
The average number of trips per person per year fell by six per cent to about 990 over the ten-year period, while the average time spent travelling in Britain remained at about 360 hours per person per year, or about an hour a day. Car travel accounts for four fifths of the total distance travelled and the overall distance travelled by car drivers per person per year increased by eight per cent.
The proportion of households in Britain without access to a car fell from 33 per cent in 1992/94 to 26 per cent in 2004, while the proportion of women holding full car driving licences increased from 54 to 61 per cent. The proportion of men holding licences remained at 81 per cent over the ten year period, while licence holders aged 60-69 rose from 57 to 72 per cent, reflecting the UK's ageing population.
The number of walking trips per person per year fell by a fifth and commuting trips fell by seven per cent, though the average trip length rose by 13 per cent. The proportion of primary-aged children walking to school declined from 61 to 50 per cent, with an increase from 30 to 41 per cent in the numbers being driven to school.
UK drivers are advised to check their car insurance provides adequate cover for the amount of driving they do each year. Cab drivers, who tend to travel further and make more short distances than the average motorist, should make sure they take out specialist taxi.
