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Back to Motoring news

Motoring news

600 million miles lost to 'motorway phobia'

24/08/2010

UK motorists could unnecessarily be driving 600 million miles each year in order to avoid motorway journeys, according to the AA.

The motoring organisation says that over the last year, drivers used its online route planner service to chart five million routes that specifically avoided using motorways - either weaving around, or running alongside such multi-lane roads.

With these routes averaging 125 miles apiece, the AA is highlighting that their combined distance would circumnavigate the Earth 24,000 times.

And in addition to the wasted miles, the association claims that this "motorway phobia" leaves drivers open to greater risk. It highlights that, according to the 2009 EuroRAP report, single-carriageway A-roads are statistically the most dangerous type.

In contrast, the AA says, motorways are the safest.

However, the association points out that new drivers are over-represented among motorway accidents, with 17-24-year-olds accounting for a quarter of accidents involving death or injury. Its own research has found that young drivers aged 18-24 are among the least confident on motorways.

According to the AA Driving School, common problems with motorway driving include driving too slowly, failing to merge safely with traffic when joining a motorway, and not keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Mark Peacock, the AA Driving School's head of driver development, said: "There is much evidence that motorways are our most feared and avoided roads, yet statistically they are safer than other roads.

"By steering clear of them drivers not only face a longer, slower journey, but are potentially putting themselves at greater risk on A-roads.

"With help, many find they can quickly overcome their fears."

The UK's motorway network came of age last October, when the M1 celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Meanwhile, in March the RAC Foundation called on the Government to upgrade the existing 900 miles of single-carriageway trunk roads to dual-carriageway.

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