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.