Ever felt like you’re wasting your time sitting in traffic? A new study by Churchill Car Insurance shows just how right you are, revealing over 123 million working hours lost each year due to workers arriving late due to traffic.
The study showed that half of the people who drive to work arrive earlier and leave later, simply to avoid the traffic rush.
But with more than one in 10 of those who drive to work reporting that they are at least 40 minutes late every time they are stuck in traffic, it is estimated that the UK economy loses at least £752 million a year as a result of the gridlock.
Tony Chilcott, Head of Churchill Car Insurance, says “it’s increasingly frustrating for motorists to have to adapt their working hours just to avoid congestion on the roads.
“However, many drivers have to accommodate the school run and other commitments in the mornings, so it’s simply unrealistic to leave work at the crack of dawn”
The average motorist is delayed by 27 minutes at least once a month, which doubles their usual 30 minute journey time. Consequently, those who drive to work are being forced to change their daily routines.
The traditional nine to five is now seemingly a thing of the past, as over half of motorists (51 per cent) arrive at work before 8.30am. For an unfortunate one in five (21 per cent) drivers, the day in the office starts between 5.15am and 7.30am in attempt to beat the traffic.
As well as the early starts, traffic worries result in one in eight (12 per cent) employees working longer hours purely to avoid traffic. A further one in six (15 per cent) say they have been forced to shift their working hours just to avoid driving on congested roads.
It would appear that traffic congestion is not just increasing motorists’ workloads, but raising their blood pressure as well. Daily delays cause drivers to worry on the way to work, with one in five (19 per cent) of those who drive to work arriving stressed because of their journey.
Despite the pitfalls of the daily commute, millions of motorists say they have no choice but to brave the roads as, for one in three (30 per cent) workers, there is no feasible alternative form of transport.
